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The story of Louis “Cucho” Balart, a Cuban refugee and New Orleans
resident, and his journey filled with sacrifice, dedication and love is
finally being told in the novel “CUCHO: A Journey from Cuba to Freedom.”
The author and Baton Rouge-native Edward Rispone will be hosting a book
release celebration on Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. at Austin’s Restaurant in Metairie.
Rispone
met Cucho 12 years ago and was immediately intrigued by stories of the
challenges and fears that the Cuban refugee had overcome.
“One
conversation after another, I found that he was so fascinating, and he
had such a grasp on history; I knew we need to document the way he grew
up and how he could articulate history and remember things. It keeps you
endlessly interested,” Rispone said. “The book not only delivers a
fascinating story, but also has important messages from throughout
history, with him having experienced losing his freedom in Cuba, and
then finding freedom in America.”
As a young and prominent
practicing physician in Cuba, Cucho struggled for freedom under Fidel
Castro’s revolutionary take-over and grew fearful for his family’s
safety. After bravely deciding to flee from his country to the United
States, he found that he was unable to pursue his profession because
American laws would not let foreign-educated doctors take the bar exam,
even though he had previously practiced medicine in Cuba. Not to be
discouraged, Cucho put all of his efforts into changing the laws in
America and eventually received his license to practice and even taught
at the LSU Medical School.
After working together for two years,
the book was finally ready for print in November. However, just days
before its original release date, Cucho passed away at the age of 92.
“Everyone
was devastated when he passed, but we celebrated his life, because his
life was the gift that he gave to everyone,” Rispone said.
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