Help me save lives

WHY I NEED HELP

In 2010, I had finally finished all the pre-requisites and testing to apply to the nursing program at my local community college. I was told then I would be placed on the waiting list and would be able to start in the spring of 2012. I was so excited! I continued my studies so I would graduate with a general AA and an AS in nursing. This course of action would eventually enable me to continue my education after starting to work as a RN. I learned that even the best thought out plans should expect the unexpected…

In December 2011, just weeks before I was scheduled to start the nursing program, a freak kitchen accident landed me in the hospital. I was washing a bowl, and for some unknown reason, it shattered in my right hand cutting my pinky finger (I am right handed). I knew it was bad when I was rinsing my hand under the faucet and could not move my finger. A trip to the emergency room revealed that the bowl had severed both the tendons in my finger. The good news was the hand surgeon I saw told me he could fix it and I would eventually get back 90% usage of it. The bad news was that I would not be able to use my right hand at all for at least eight weeks due to the type of bandage, then splint I would have. After four weeks, I was told I would have to start physical therapy and be fitted with a different type of splint, which we affectionately called the "the claw." The claw was part of my hand for 23 hours a day for 5 weeks (it took me about an hour to take a shower) since I was still not allowed to use my hand. It has been three months now and my doctor tells me I am doing "exceptionally well" and to keep up the good work with my therapy.

Even though my school was gracious enough to move my start date in the program to summer 2012 (which starts May 7), I lost my financial aid. My plan, before my accident, was to use the left over money from the spring semester to pay for the summer semester, as the funding I had does not cover expenses for summer. Under normal circumstances, my parents would help me pay for school but unfortunately have had a very difficult last 18 months financially, not to mention my medical bills. I have said several times that I will just go back to work to help my parents pay the bills, but they absolutely refuse. My father doesn't make a lot of money any more and my mother lost her job a couple of months ago and has not yet been able to find another one. I am the first person in my family to attend college and I will complete my education. I just need a little help right now.

FUNDS I HAVE RAISED

Several years ago, I worked at Disney here in Orlando and collected several pins, lanyards, posters, and so many other things that only those working for Disney could buy. In the last several weeks, I have sold half of my collection through auction sites and was able to raise about one quarter of the money I need. Normally, I would have just gone out and gotten a part time job, but due to my hand injury, I have not been able to do this. I am still trying to get a job, but have had no luck. I only need to borrow this money for a few months and have exhausted all other options (I even tried to get a loan on my car).

WHY SO MUCH?

Nursing school is expensive! Even with me cutting corners like renting my textbooks instead of buying them, I still need a considerable amount. The school I will be attending has clinical instruction in varies facilities starting in the first semester. Due to this, I have to have a complete series of shots that are required by those in the medical field in the state of Florida. In addition to this, there are clinical uniforms, in-class uniforms, tuition, and books. Lots of books.