Vanessa's debt-free from Dartmouth fund

Hello. My name is Vanessa and my pronouns are they/them. I am a 24-year old non-binary femme of color (Peruvian). I graduated from Dartmouth in 2019 after five years and taking two medically related leaves, including one suspension from the college after being diagnosed with anxiety and depression. 

In December 2019 I was able to begin my first full-time job, but I burned out and left this position because of COVID-19 related stresses and a hostile work environment. I have now been seeking medical assistance from my physician, therapist, and most recently community acupuncture care. 

One of the biggest strains on my mental health is having to payback an institution who did not support my steps in recovery, and continues to harm several current and incoming students by forcing them into debt, medical leaves, and separations from the college (expulsions); a focus on removing itself from any liability instead of focusing on student needs and care. You can read more about Dartmouth's treatment on medical leave students in the following link: https://www.thedartmouth.com/article/2020/02/it-felt-very-much-like-a-punishment-medical-leave-at-dartmouth 

I am asking for your support in becoming debt-free from this institution so I can continue to direct my funds to my own healing, well-being, and basic needs of sustaining myself and my two senior parents. 

Thankfully on a part of COVID, my loan has been given a forbearance, however I will start paying this loan on February 1. As I continue to search for jobs, I am wary about my ability to keep up with these payments.

Any kind of support, donating, sharing, leaving me a kind message I will greatly appreciate! Thank you for thinking of me and my sound recovery.

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If you would like to know more about my own personal story with suspension at Dartmouth, my good friend featured me in their culminating film project on queer mental health experiences:

"queer-alities" documentary (starting at 9:45): https://vimeo.com/340933187