My name is Paulina, I am 45 years old, and I have worked my entire life since I was 16. I studied, completed university, earned several specializations, translated professionally, for i speak 3 languages, and even passed public examinations. I have always supported myself with dignity and responsibility.

I never imagined reaching a point where my own body would no longer allow me to work.

Over the past months and years, my health has deteriorated severely. I now live with a combination of chronic and disabling conditions: fibromyalgia, arthritis, arthrosis, herniated discs, clinical depression, panic disorder, generalized anxiety, and officially diagnosed autism level 1.

Many days, I experience such intense weakness that I cannot even walk down the stairs.

In addition to daily pain, I am facing several serious medical concerns:

• enlarged lymph nodes in the thyroid region and a suspicious TI-RADS 4 nodule;

• a heart condition that requires constant monitoring;

• recurrent inflammation;

• neurological symptoms related to fibromyalgia;

• continuous psychiatric and psychological treatment.

I require physiotherapy for my cervical spine, lumbar region, and knees; neuromodulation; neurological evaluations; cardiology follow-ups; dental care; and multiple specialist appointments.

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Why I must pay for private medical care even in Italy

Although Italy has a public healthcare system, the waiting times are extremely long for many medical services — especially for diagnostics and specialist visits.

For example:

my endoscopy through the public system was scheduled one year ahead,

urgent exams often have waiting times of 8 to 12 months,

many treatments I need (like physiotherapy) are not available publicly at all,

delays mean worsening symptoms, more pain, and more risk.

With chronic conditions like mine, waiting one year for each exam and then another year for follow-ups would mean remaining sick indefinitely, unable to treat the root causes of my pain, unable to recover, and unable to work again.

For this reason, I am forced to rely on private medical care, where each consultation costs around €150, and diagnostic tests are even more expensive.

It is the only way to receive treatment in time to prevent my health from deteriorating further.

I do not choose private care because it is “better” — I choose it because it is the only realistic option for someone who needs help now, not years from now.

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My situation

I have been unable to work for months — not because I lack motivation, but because my health makes it physically impossible. Without income, I cannot afford the medical care I urgently need.

I am Brazilian, and all my family lives in Brazil. I live in Italy with my husband, far from home, without friends or relatives nearby. My husband works and does everything he can to support me, but his income only covers the basic household expenses. All medical costs fall entirely on me — and I cannot carry them alone anymore.

For this reason, I set a goal of €24,000, equivalent to €2,000 per month for one year, to cover:

• essential private medical appointments,

• diagnostic exams and imaging without year-long delays,

• medications,

• physiotherapy and neuromodulation,

• new prescription glasses,

• necessary living expenses during this period of total inability to work.

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About Privacy & Verification

For privacy and safety reasons, I chose not to publish my personal photo on this page.

However, I fully understand the importance of transparency.

Anyone who wishes to verify my identity or medical condition can receive, privately by email, any of the documents below:

✓ official diagnoses

✓ specialist reports

✓ psychiatric and neurological evaluations

✓ MRI scans and imaging

✓ blood tests

✓ prescriptions

✓ proof of chronic conditions

✓ all medical documentation I have

I am completely willing to share everything necessary for verification — just not publicly online.

Your help means survival

Any contribution — small or large — will make a real difference in my life and treatment.

If you cannot donate, sharing this campaign already helps tremendously.

With deep gratitude,

Paulina