Our story, Her Future: How YOU Can Make a Difference
I'm trying to help my 6 year-old (step-)daughter change her life the way someone once changed mine. She is warm, bold, enthusiastic, and most of all, BRILLIANT! Therefore, brimming with potential. In deference to my mother I have chosen to continue defying the impossible in order to strive for the improbable.
My 50 year old mother just died in our home of a progressive, debilitating lung disease she had been suffering from for over 25 years. My mother was the heart of our little family and is THE reason my entire life changed for the better when I was only 12 years old. She put me on an academic track that I know led me to become a doctor AGAINST ALL ODDS. We grew up extremely poor, so when a co-worker told her about New York City's De La Salle Academy (a sponsor-funded school for economically disadvantaged but promising students like me -
https://www.delasalleacademy.org/about), she immediately arranged for my application there and I subsequently was accepted into their 7th grade… a decision that changed my entire life.
Now I want to pay it forward to Bee. But my mother's passing struck us in the middle of a project that was going to help send Bee to school which threatens her attendance. The hurt I feel from losing her drove me to pursue this because now, more than ever, I FEEL the meaning of "everyday counts". I understand, some will say that Bee is "only 6 years old, so there is no rush" and others will say "there are great public schools out there for FREE!" But this school is my daughter, Bee's, perfect match. Studies prove that early intervention drastically improves a student's odds of success and IDEALLY one wants to place their child in a school that FITS their child's personality LIKE A GLOVE. After Bee's visit day, it became blatantly obvious that this school is THAT school for her in philosophy, mind, body, and spirit. She would THRIVE there.
I am a product of strangers' generosity yielding fruitful results and I am THANKFUL EVERYDAY that so many "SOMEONES" were once there for me. So I have volunteered, I have cared for, I have given, and I have gone without because I wholeheartedly support the concept of paying it forward in whatever way we can. IT HAS THE POWER TO HEAL AND CHANGE SOMEONE'S STARS!
Again, this monetary plea is just for this upcoming academic year. We'll be okay for the rest of her schooling. What I cannot give Bee in money at the moment, I will give her in my love by humbling myself to reach out to others and to SHARE OUR STORY.
So please help perpetuate this CYCLE OF ACHIEVEMENT my mother (our family) set in motion and PAY IT FORWARD.
Help me help her. Help me honor my mother's, grandmother's and family's sacrifices. HELP CHANGE A LIFE.
Sincerely,
All of us
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