My name is Laci. I’m a senior in college set to graduate this fall. This summer I’ve been staying at home, which leads me to why I’m here.

At the end of June, my mom severely injured her back. It was the first time I’d ever heard my mom cry out in pain, and the helplessness I felt is something I hope no child ever has to experience. Her injury was followed by 3 weeks of insufferable pain wherein I served as her caretaker: driving her to appointments, speaking with doctors, and holding her while she’d cry. Eventually (after 2 MRIs, X-rays, and multiple visits to specialists), they figured out it was a slipped disc around her L4 & L5 vertebrae. Finally, we had a solution (yay!). She got a spinal injection and, for the first time in 3 weeks, I saw genuine RELIEF on her face. The relief was temporary, as to be expected, but had vanished completely after receiving her bills. The amount grows with every appointment, but right now her total is near $8,000 with no sign of stopping. (My goal is $6,000 right now so it’s not too daunting)

Growing up, I never saw her go to the doctor unless absolutely necessary (not even when she had the flu). My mom is active, adventurous, and independent, and I don’t want a life of chronic pain and medical bills to stop her. My mom is a fighter and she has fought tooth and nail to get herself back into the office and keep working because, despite the pain, she knows she has a child and livelihood to protect.

I would love to tell you all of the reasons why my mom is deserving of your help, but I’ll leave you with this: because of my mom, I will be the first in my family to graduate college with a Bachelor’s degree. It is solely because of her that I have managed to push through the challenges that I’ve encountered along the way. I want her to see me walk the stage this December without having the stress of medical bills in the back of her mind.

I recognize the privilege I have to be posting this, and I know that there are millions of people who have it so much worse, but as a daughter I can’t bear to watch the weight of these bills rest upon my mom’s shoulders any longer, and I can’t stomach the feeling of helplessness any longer. I promised her that once I’m out of college she’ll be taken care of but, in the meantime, I need your help.