Salvete!

My daughter Kalea Marie Hampton, a junior at The Brooklyn Latin School  in New York City, has been accepted to an amazing program in Rome this summer called "Living Latin in Rome," a three-week Latin immersion program offered by The Paideia Institute . I think this could be a tremendous opportunity for a terrific kid who has taken a lot of hits in her-not-very-long life, and I'd love to see her go. But at the moment, I just don't have the money to send her. As a single mom who is working hard to revolutionize the way we think of children's health, there isn't a whole lot extra to go around these days.

The total cost of the program is $3,450, plus round-trip airfare to Rome (this may be covered by donated frequent-flyer miles; it's not clear yet). She applied for a scholarship, but was turned down. If we can't raise funds, she will have to turn down this wonderful opportunity.

For those of you who don't know her, Kalea is "twice exceptional" -- gifted with learning disabilities --  which makes for some pretty challenging situations for a kid with an "ordinary" life. Kalea, however, has already lived through the death of her baby brother Zane, the subsequent depression of both her parents, especially that of the father she was so close to, and the sudden end of a stable home life at the age of 10. She also spent approximately five years caught in the grip of PANDAS . She has since recovered and wrote a very moving article about her experience that is helping other parents and children deal with the same kinds of issues.

But none of that conveys the amazingness that is Kalea. She's a brilliant fiction writer, thoughtful, intelligent, passionate, and a champion of the oppressed. She's informed, aware, and a fabulous big sister to her other younger brother Beckett. I can't wait to see what she does next!

And she's turning 17 on April 1. (Yes, that does mean I was giving birth on April Fool's Day.) For her birthday she wants nothing but the opportunity to go to Rome.

The downpayment of $500 is due by April 15, and the balance by May 15. 

I'm generally resistant to the idea of asking for help, but if this has a shot of getting her to Rome, we have to try it. If you would consider making a contribution to send an awesome and extremely grateful kid to Rome for the trip of a lifetime, we will find a way to thank you 

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I promise to pay it forward!

Zoey O'Toole (Kalea's mom)