The man I have become | Diego Pillco | TED Goes to Prison at Coxsackie Correctional Facility 2022

Diego Pillco killed a beautiful human being, which created immense pain and suffering, and he thinks about this every day. Although it isn't possible for him to go back in time and undo the terrible thing he did, his only path forward is to dedicating his life to improving himself and trying to alleviate other suffering where he can. Diego is a native of Cuenca, a beautiful but impoverished state in southern Ecuador. At the age of 18, he came to the United States as an illegal immigrant who spoke little English. Once in prison, he thought his life was over. But gradually he began to understand English just by listening to it. In 2011, he earned his GED and became involved in numerous programs such as being a teacher’s aide, working with the disabled, working in the tailor shop (as a foreman now), and being a hospice aide. He very much enjoys his work. These programs helped him grow and change to become a better person. He loves sewing and he loves sports, especially American football. He’s a die-hard New York Giants fan, and he loves music, too. After his release from prison, he plans to return to Ecuador to take care of his elderly parents. He will open a tailor shop to make clothes for the poor kids in his town as well as to teach them to sew so he can bring hope to the youth for a better tomorrow.