"Why don't you go ahead and ask her that?" I replied as I rounded the corner to hold the door for her, feeling grateful that she had waited patiently inside. I was tempted to provide a response on her behalf, but I avoided doing so because I wanted to give Ania a voice in the situation. Having her life abruptly taken away from her is difficult for anybody. I knew the quicker she adjusted, the more autonomy and responsibility I could offer her. And I certainly didn't want her to feel confined.

"Ania," and I extended a helping hand. It took a lot of restraint on her part when she...