To all who are so kind to read my story.

Someone suggested I should approach GoFundMe, a wonderful platform that gives me hope that I may receive help with donations.

If you will be so kind, please ask your friends, family and everyone in your social media networks to go to the website GoFundMe.com, click on the small circled magnifying glass at the top left, and at "Search" enter my name Debra Lazaro and click on my photo to read my story.

I became a yoga teacher 24 years ago because I wanted to make a difference and change peoples lives towards better health, happiness and, more importantly, to bring longevity to their lives. I am truly accomplishing this, as my students constantly remind me of how very grateful they are that I’m in their lives and have made a huge difference, not only with better physical health, but in their mind and spirit as well. In the physical aspect my students have also improved their bone density to a point that many no longer need medication, and so many have said that I’ve actually saved their lives. It's such a rewarding experience teaching these wonderful students that I love so dearly.

My life, however, has been such a struggle financially for all the years I've been teaching, as I receive very little pay as a yoga teacher and am never able to put away any savings for bills, which are always difficult to pay, and for emergencies such as with my car, for example, which is my biggest fear and worry that it will not work much longer.

With the 22 classes I teach, seven days a week, with no vacations or paid sick days, I average 3 to 4 hours of driving daily going to and from yoga studios. I bought a 2003 Ford Taurus 22 years ago in 2004. It currently has 250,000+ miles on it. It barely starts every day, but my mechanic has kept it going with the numerous repairs he has done. He said my car is now on life support and will not last much longer. Still, he has been so kind giving me breaks for the cost of repairs since he knows I have no money saved.

My car is my livelihood. I fear when it breaks down permanently I will have no car and will not be able to go to studios to teach, ultimately losing all work and pay. I have lost so much work with my car breaking down so often.

My husband, who is a veteran, is no longer able work because of health issues.

So I must swallow my pride in the hope that I will receive some help with donations from the GoFundMe platform, to free me from this endless and constant worry of surviving another day. Even a little donation would help so very much. What little I make from teaching yoga goes directly to paying off bills. Raises are rare to get as a yoga teacher. I just never have any funds to fall back on, and GoFundMe is my only hope of getting help without having to borrow money that I’m not able to repay.

I need help not only for a car, which is most important for going to work and surviving, but also to help with my financial struggles of day to day life. With all the classes I teach and many hours I drive I don’t know if I’ll be able to fit more classes into my busy schedule, but I’m trying my best to do so.

I understand that these are hard times for many, so I truly understand if you're not able to help. For those who are able to donate and help me, I give you my sincerest and deepest thanks and gratitude. No words could ever express how grateful I would be.

God bless all those who are willing and able to donate and help me, and God bless those who are not able to, yet were kind to read my story.

Thank you so very much!

Kindest regards,

Debra Lazaro