Help Me Walk Again After Tragedy in Africa

My name is Adrian Nolasco, and I’ve spent my entire life fighting to overcome adversity. I come from a deeply challenging background, growing up in a home marked by drug addiction, violence, and neglect. My mother struggled with addiction, which led to years of instability and abuse. I was eventually placed in the foster care system, moving from home to home, and was adopted for a time. But like many foster youth, I aged out at 18 and found myself homeless.

Even while sleeping in youth shelters, I remained determined. I graduated from high school against the odds and pursued higher education. In 2023, I had the life-changing opportunity to study abroad in Tanzania, where I worked on powerful community initiatives. That experience ignited a passion to make a difference not only in New York City where I had become a social worker but also globally. I enrolled in a Master’s program in International Affairs & Diplomacy, spending a semester in Switzerland and another in South Africa.

But in June 2025, during a short visit back to Tanzania, everything changed.

While traveling by motorbike to my hotel, I was struck by a speeding car in a hit-and-run incident. The impact was devastating my right leg was split in half at the knee, and an artery was ruptured, causing severe blood loss. I was rushed to the hospital, after three days the doctors told me that the only way to live was to amputate my right leg.

Waking up from surgery without my leg was a moment I’ll never forget but I’m still here. And I’m still determined.

Now, my goal is simple: to walk again. With the right prosthetic leg so I can be able to regain mobility, independence, and continue the work. I will appreciate the help in getting me a prosthetic leg. The cost of a prosthetic leg is approximately $150,000 USD.