My name is Nina. I’ve been in the service industry for 23 years. I’ve worn many hats, sometimes working 2-3 jobs, but in the last 2 years, I’ve worked as a bartender/server at Atlanta Athletic Club full-time as well as Overstory at The Westin Duluth full-time. I’ve worked in many departments at The Westin to retain my full-time employment status to keep my benefits. I’ve taken pay cuts for hours as a hostess, worked at Starbucks as a barista, and I’ve worked different positions in banquets, sometimes working doubles to make ends meet during slower seasons. Nonetheless, I’ve worked hard, I work with a smile, and as a team.

On March 16th, 2026, I had a day off, which was rare. I contacted some co-workers, old and current, to join for brunch, which ended up being a late lunch. It rained extremely hard that day. After lunch, walking to my car, it started to rain again. I slipped and fell in front of my car, breaking my left fibula and tibia. Fortunately, I was amongst good friends who took me directly to the ER, where I found out I had broken my ankle. Anyone who knows me or knows of me knows I’m not one to sit for long; I’m an active person. Luckily, we were able to find an amazing orthopedic doctor/surgeon, and surgery was scheduled for Friday that week. The following 3 weeks were not only physically challenging but mentally challenging as well due to isolation and the stress of not being physically able to work. I’ve exhausted my reserves paying bills; some medical-related bills have been paid. In making an attempt to consolidate, bills keep coming. I have been ordered off work for another 6 weeks to start physical therapy to build the strength in my left leg and learn to walk on it again. By my next doctor’s visit, it will have been 3 months out of work. My life insurance policy was thought to be an alternative resource for emergency withdrawal, but I found I was misled after attempting to draw a loan on my policy.

As much as I hate asking for help from anyone, I do need it now. This account is to raise money to help me make ends meet until I am literally back on my feet again, walking and able to return to work.