My mom, Paula Gallagi, is in the secondary progressive and final stage of Multiple Sclerosis. This disease is unforgiving; it breaks down your bones and joints, causes the nerves throughout your body to misfire, and creates lesions throughout your brain. MS has deteriorated her life significantly, forcing her to now use a motorized wheelchair as her legs for the past 15 years. On top of the MS, she is also battling final-stage Myasthenia Gravis, which affects the ability to swallow, as well as Grave’s Disease and Chron’s Disease.

Despite it all, Paula strives to wake up each day and still remain positive. Her only solace is teaching; she has been teaching for over 40 years, and to this day, teaches middle school students in inner city New Haven while in a wheelchair. Each year, she gives presents to all of her students for Christmas, gives coats and gloves to those in need during the winter months, and always gives back to the community. She has a heart of gold.

While it would be easy to give up, she keeps pushing forward and fighting to accomplish all of her dreams in life.

One of those dreams? Travel.

For years, Paula has talked about finally getting a stamp in her passport. She’s had a passport for thirty years, and each decade, she has renewed it in hopes of travelling somewhere in the world. Due to her debilitating diseases and travel expenses, she has been unable to make that dream a reality….yet.

As her daughter/caregiver/best friend, I cannot let her leave this world without helping grant her this wish. However, I need some assistance to get us to a new destination. I’ve settled on Amsterdam in The Netherlands. This is a city she’s been craving to see – one that’s filled with history – and is also one of the most handicapped accessible cities in Europe.

I never ask for financial help – nor does my mom – but at this point, I am humbly asking for donations to help me grant my mom this wish. Expenses raised here will directly go towards our flight to Amsterdam, as well as other travel expenses including our one-week stay abroad.

Thank you so much for your consideration, as a trip like this will help her achieve her dreams – and maybe even help her keep pushing on.

Love, Liv.