Hello, I’m 19 years old, and I currently live in France. I never imagined I’d have to share my story like this, but I’m doing it because I truly need help. Not just to survive, but to finally live.

I was born in Spain, and my parents divorced when I was still a child. I’ve never really known what a normal or safe home feels like. My childhood was far from ordinary. I was forced to grow up too fast. Both of my parents were emotionally unavailable, and I had to raise myself. I didn’t get to be a child. In fact, for as long as I can remember, I’ve been the one taking care of my mother, not the other way around. I felt more like her parent than her daughter.

When I was 15, I was forced to move to France with my mother because I had nowhere else to go. My father didn’t have a stable home and had to care for my very sick grandmother. Although he tried to support me financially, my mother kept all the money for herself.

Life in France was incredibly difficult. I didn’t speak the language, I had no friends, and I fell into deep loneliness and depression. My mother’s husband is an alcoholic who has physically abused her. Once, when he was attacking her, I stepped in and physically defended her. I was terrified, but I couldn’t stand by and watch.

Over the years, I dedicated myself to school, learned French, and worked hard to succeed. Despite everything, I graduated with excellent grades and was accepted into one of the top universities in the country, Université Sorbonne. A huge achievement. To study law, my dream. I want to become a lawyer to fight for people who don’t have a voice, because I know what it’s like to be powerless.

But my mother refused to let me go. She said I owed her everything because she gave me life and brought me to France “for a better future.” But the truth is that she cannot stand the idea of me becoming an adult and live my own life. She wouldn’t even allow me to work during this past year. I’ve been completely trapped, emotionally, physically, and financially.

She is both mentally and physically abusive. She manipulates me, controls every part of my life, and has taken everything I’ve earned, including money I made from a recent job. I used part of it to get my driver’s license, and she took the rest. My entire childhood and teenage years were stolen. I was never allowed to be a child. I was always the one surviving, protecting, and carrying the weight of things no child should have to carry. But I still have hope. I still have a few years left to try to experience what a normal young life should feel like, studying, building my future, feeling free and safe.

That’s why I’m asking for help. I want to move to Paris and start my studies. I want to build an independent, healthy, and stable life. I want to heal. I want to live, not just survive.

Your donation will help me cover, rent and basic living costs in Paris, food and daily needs, transportation and University-related expenses.

For safety reasons, I can’t upload a photo of my face. I hope you can understand, no one around me can know about this fundraiser. I’m doing everything I can quietly and carefully to protect myself while trying to move forward. This page is my only chance to escape, and to begin a life that’s mine.

Even the smallest donation helps. And if you can’t donate, just sharing my story means a lot.

Thank you for reading, for understanding, and for standing with me.

With all my heart, Mimi.