At seven, Geraldine suffered severe burns in a fire at her home outside Lima, Peru. After a year at a local hospital she was among the most critical cases selected by a group of U.S. physicians for transfer to Boston for treatment. There she learned English by listening to the medical staff, and eventually volunteered to work with other pediatric burn victims. The nurses became her family in every sense and inspired her choice of profession. Geraldine earned her GED at Charlestown Adult Education, completed her English studies at El Centro Del Cardinal. She is currently enrolled in nursing courses at Bunker Hill Community College.