Ryan's education fund

My name is Ryan. I need your help.

I live in Midland, Texas, and I am the son of a single mom. She has struggled every year to pay for my tuition at a private school for kids with learning disabilities. The school I attend, Hillcrest, is expensive and takes 30% of her income. When I was younger, my grandfather left me some money for college. After much consideration, she used that money to help pay my tuition for three years. Last year that fund was depleted and the school offered her a scholarship to help with the cost of tuition.

This year, she did not have the money, but the school allowed me to attend school, with the promise from her that she make regular payments. It has been tough for her to make any payments and the school is now asking for the balance of $5000 before the next year starts.

My mom is a great mom "“- she is always helping me out. When I was little she made sure I could participate in sports. She has provided me with a house and utilities non-stop since my parents divorced when I was three. My dad has been gone from my life since I was ten years old, and he didn't pay child support for nine years; it got very difficult for my mom at times.

My mom is very good at managing the money she does get so that we are not ever without food or utilities. She never misses work either unless she is dead sick. I am asking you for your help because I need to continue with my education. I am 17 years old and am a junior.

Here's a little information about my early schooling problems that led us to Hillcrest. I was in the public school system since first grade and entered seventh grade at 13 years old. I struggled with reading, writing, spelling and math. My mom tried to work with the school system every year to get me the extra help that I needed, and I was in after-school tutorials for grades 3 - 6. That didn't help and my learning skills were not improving; I kept falling further behind, and getting very frustrated.

At the end of sixth grade, I was enrolled in the Special Education program. My mom kept trying to get me help and it was at this time that she found out about Hillcrest, the school I am currently attending. In the public school system, I was making C's and D's. Since starting Hillcrest I have made nothing less than a B. This is year 5 at this school and I am dreaming about one day becoming an engineer. I could not have imagined this without this school. The teacher and administrators actually love and care about me and my academic life and future. Not something we got at the public school level. Please help me graduate from this school. Please help my mom. Any amount will be a huge help to us.