Deaflympics in Sofia, Bulgaria 2013

Hello Familia and Friends!

I'm writing this letter to you to ask for your help!

Well, the day has come! I have been waiting to hear if I was approved to go to the Deaflympics and the great news is I am! 120 elite deaf and hard of hearing athletes will represent the USA in 10 different sports. I will be working as a student athletic trainer with the USA Basketball team. The Deaflympics will be taking place in Sofia, Bulgaria July 21^st- August 5^th, 2013. Yes, it's very short notice!

Being selected for the USA Summer Deaflympics Athletic Training Team is an honor and a major achievement for myself. The biggest challenge I face is the ability to secure funding. That's where I need your help. I need to raise at least $4,000 to cover all expenses including airfare. I must do my own fundraising because I do not receive financial support from the United States Olympic Committee. People like you who support students that are trying to fulfill their dreams are the ones that can make it possible for me to accomplish mine. I'm excited to be assisting sport teams in my first language, American Sign Language, because for the last year I have been working with hearing teams and that is a challenge for me but I did it!

A little bit about myself, I attended Phoenix Day School for the Deaf and then went to Thunderbird High School to prepare myself for college in the hearing world. I am currently attending Riverside City College in California in the Athletic Training Program. I love what I am doing because it is hands-on, get to work with different sport teams and build relationships.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for your help in giving me the opportunity to represent the USA Deaflympics as a student athletic trainer. I hope I will get to continue this journey.

Thank you for your support and looking forward to my 1^st Deaflympics!

For the convenience, you may donate through this link:

http://www.gofundme.com/kianaestrada
- Kiana