Hello, my name is Christine, and I truly appreciate you taking a moment to read my story. My entire life has been dedicated to helping others. This passion has always lead me back to helping people or animals in one way or another, where through passion or by necessity. During my childhood, my parents taught me kindness and to give to any animal or person in need, through rescuing or lending a hand for others in hard times. My parents taught me to work hard and be humble when this world knocks us down, to never give up and to push forward. We come from an area with one of the lowest poverty rates in the United States, my parents were the first of their generation to try for higher education, in order to pull us out of this poverty.
As an adult, I found myself at a point in life where I wanted to be more, and wanted to achieve more, no matter the cost. This cost came at walking away from a marriage where I gave a lot, and was never encouraged to do more. During my dream of going back for higher education to work with animals, and some day graduate or professional school. I walked out on my own with nothing, no home and very little support, hoping my passion was enough to get me through, and it almost was. During this very hard time, of separation and divorce, I had the death of mother in-law due to a stroke, the death of my 10-year old niece from pneumonia, the death of my mother from heart disease, and finally the death of my brother from drug dependency.
I had constant sexual harassment from graduate students that I was working with for my degree, that was a constant issue with this university. Had it not been for counseling services and medication for my depressive state I was in, I would not have made it. I was working 4-5 jobs in order to finish my degree, and could no longer do it. I stopped three courses shy, because I couldn’t afford to continue, and my mental health was at its lowest. I decided to walk away to get myself healthy. Once the COVID pandemic occurred, I was living with barely any food or utilities in the house, and taking any job I could.
Three years ago, I decided to return to healthcare and move into the city to pick myself up from one of the hardest things I have ever experienced. Over the course of the past three years, though it was incredibly hard, I have been able to afford basic amenities, and continue to try to improve the financial situation and make good on my debt that accrued during that hard time in my life. I work hard every single day, and continue to be honest, and caring to everyone I meet, even when the favor is not returned.
For me, no-one will give me chance to start over and I cannot seem to get ahead of the debt no matter what I do. My current status of student loan debt is over $100,000 and my immediate debt is around $3000 to get myself in good standing. Throughout this hardship, I have seldom asked for help, but push myself harder and pick up more jobs. I cannot do this forever. Recently, I lost a good relationship, partly because my debt became too overwhelming for him. Everyday, I feel that things cannot get harder, and I am always humbled by more heartbreak.
I have a plan to get myself out of debt, no matter how long it may it take. And will continue to push forward, but I am aware that I cannot do it alone, anymore. I personally have helped with gofundmes for people I know, and continue to share for good causes for those that I cannot help. I like to think in this world, I could have accomplished so much more, had I been given a better start in life, and not of had so much tragedy hit in such a short amount of time. I was one of the most ambitious undergraduates in my studies, and worked harder than most. I believe as human beings, we can always stand up for things that are right and can make a difference, even through take small gestures such as a share.
Any money donated will be used to secure my car, and work towards my goal of debt relief. Any amount you’re willing to contribute is so greatly appreciated, and if you aren’t able to to contribute money at this time, a share with your your friends and family would mean the world to me.
I have a very small group of people in this world that I call family and friends, and they are amongst the most amazing group of human beings that I let into my life because of this. Unfortunately, myself and these amazing people cannot reach very far, when there is an entire world out there, where even $1, or a share to reach further can make a difference. Thank you for reading my story.
This is my family by the way, my dogs have stuck with me through everything that you have read about, and still wag their tails every evening I come home. They are the reason that I never gave up. Cai, Nico, and Wynter (target cart), and this is me, Christine. I was an aspiring wildlife biologist, snake handler, and dog trainer wantabee. I've worked almost every minimum wage job you could imagine, and never felt guilty for that. I am finding peace in dentistry again, by helping restores smiles and improve the health, in those who come from more tragedy than myself. Though I will never return to my passion for animals, I am okay helping others in any way I can, and providing a stable home for myself and my dogs.
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