My name is Tonie, and I am currently fighting to continue my education and hold onto the future I have worked so hard to build.
For as long as I can remember, learning has always been one of the things that gave me hope. I have always loved studying, especially English, because I believe language has the power to connect people, tell stories, and change lives.
One of my biggest dreams is not only to continue learning, but also to teach English someday and help others find confidence and opportunities through education the way I once did.
But behind that dream, my life has been filled with struggles that became harder and harder to carry alone. I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 disorder after experiencing severe emotional and mental health challenges that deeply affected my life, my stability, and my ability to keep going. There were moments when everything felt overwhelming — moments where continuing school, staying motivated, and simply getting through each day became incredibly difficult.
Living with Bipolar 1 has been a constant battle, but despite everything, I never gave up on my education or my dream of building a better future.
At the same time, my family has also been facing serious financial and medical hardships. My mother, who is a single mother and the sole provider for our family, recently lost her job due to complications from her Type 1 diabetes. Watching her struggle with her health while trying to support me and my younger sister, who is also still studying, has been heartbreaking. With the sudden loss of income, medical expenses continuing to grow, and the cost of education becoming impossible to manage, my future now feels uncertain.
Even during the hardest moments of my life, I kept holding onto the belief that education could change everything for me and my family. Being accepted into my dream university felt like proof that all the pain, sacrifices, and sleepless nights meant something. But now, I am terrified that financial hardship may take that opportunity away from me.
I am creating this fundraiser because I truly cannot do this alone anymore. The funds raised will help cover my tuition for the rest of my Bachelor degree year, educational expenses, and basic living costs so I can continue my studies and keep moving forward despite everything my family and I are facing.
More than anything, I want the chance to continue learning, continue healing, and one day become someone who can help and inspire others through education and language.
Any support — whether through donations, sharing this campaign, or simply reading my story — means more to me than words can express.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to my story and for helping me keep hope alive during one of the hardest chapters of my life.
For as long as I can remember, learning has always been one of the things that gave me hope. I have always loved studying, especially English, because I believe language has the power to connect people, tell stories, and change lives.
One of my biggest dreams is not only to continue learning, but also to teach English someday and help others find confidence and opportunities through education the way I once did.
But behind that dream, my life has been filled with struggles that became harder and harder to carry alone. I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 disorder after experiencing severe emotional and mental health challenges that deeply affected my life, my stability, and my ability to keep going. There were moments when everything felt overwhelming — moments where continuing school, staying motivated, and simply getting through each day became incredibly difficult.
Living with Bipolar 1 has been a constant battle, but despite everything, I never gave up on my education or my dream of building a better future.
At the same time, my family has also been facing serious financial and medical hardships. My mother, who is a single mother and the sole provider for our family, recently lost her job due to complications from her Type 1 diabetes. Watching her struggle with her health while trying to support me and my younger sister, who is also still studying, has been heartbreaking. With the sudden loss of income, medical expenses continuing to grow, and the cost of education becoming impossible to manage, my future now feels uncertain.
Even during the hardest moments of my life, I kept holding onto the belief that education could change everything for me and my family. Being accepted into my dream university felt like proof that all the pain, sacrifices, and sleepless nights meant something. But now, I am terrified that financial hardship may take that opportunity away from me.
I am creating this fundraiser because I truly cannot do this alone anymore. The funds raised will help cover my tuition for the rest of my Bachelor degree year, educational expenses, and basic living costs so I can continue my studies and keep moving forward despite everything my family and I are facing.
More than anything, I want the chance to continue learning, continue healing, and one day become someone who can help and inspire others through education and language.
Any support — whether through donations, sharing this campaign, or simply reading my story — means more to me than words can express.
Thank you for taking the time to listen to my story and for helping me keep hope alive during one of the hardest chapters of my life.
Organizer
Tonie Ross
Organizer