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Friday, May 24, 2013 | 8:07 p.m.

Updated: 3:01 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008 | Posted: 5:19 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008

El Paso Family Upset Mother Not Provided With Interpreter

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EL PASO, Texas —

Denise Amaro said her mother, Margarita, has no idea what's happening in her hospital room. The reason? Because Margarita is deaf and mute, and for the past three days has not provided with a sign-language interpreter.

"I cannot be here with her 24-7, so it does bother me that they were not able to provide an interpreter for her," Amaro said.

Amaro also said Del Sol did originally hire an interpretor, but turned him away because they could not reach an agreement.

KFOX was supposed to speak with the interpreter who said he arrived at the hospital on Monday, but was turned away. But now that the hospital has decided to use his services, he declined to be interviewed, and the hospital said it has nothing to do with the fact KFOX contacted them for this story.

"We had his company already and his name, so they've been in touch with him before," Del Sol spokeswoman Carla Sierra said.

Even though Margarita now has an interpreter, the hospital said she's been able to communicate with them through notes.

"The patient let us know that it was okay to communicate with her via notes. She gave us the thumbs up, an actual thumbs up, so we've been doing successfully," Sierra said.

Margarita's family said they plan on taking legal action against Del Sol Medical Center, since they believe this is a violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act.

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