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Please help me to keep Azzurra & baby Miracle !

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almost 4 years ago I had a dream. A vision. I wanted to use the story of my struggles and pain to inspire others who were facing their own dark times. It all started with one Facebook post.. I simply wrote about my cancer story and what I went through. But I also talked about how god had really heard my prayers and gave me a second chance at life. A life I once took for granted. I spent my days miserble depressed hopeless and angry at the world. I didn’t even believe in god at the time. I was obese because of an accident that happened when I was 19 years old. After stopping to help a disabled motorist on the highway , I was hit by a car.. I lost the ability to walk for over a year. During this time I sank into a deep depression and turned to food for comfort.. this was the start of my downward spiral. After becoming so obese I hated myself even more. Food couldn’t fix that issue so that’s when I turned to drugs. I self medicated to numb the pain of my existence.. I felt guilty for not making my family proud. I felt bad for not being the daughter I thought my parents always wanted me to be. I felt ashamed and like I was a waste of life. I felt embarrassed to have to put my family and friends through this. I felt bad for them to have an obese suicidal drug addict in their lives. I did not want to be here anymore. I felt I had no purpose. But then things got even worse when I was diagnosed with stage 4b metastatic cancer of the tongue. I didn’t understand why I was going through all of this. I didn’t believe a god existed if he could allow me to suffer for so many years. I wished to be free , I was a prisoner in a body that didn’t feel like my own. I was tired and weary. I was ready to throw in the towel and I almost did.
 
2 weeks after my 19 hour cancer operation to remove my entire tongue, my trach tube got plugged up with tissue. I couldn’t speak to ask for help and I couldn’t write because my right arm was casted from the forearm flap reconstruction.. I stopped breathing and my heart stopped.. I was clinically dead.. I was only 32 years old when I “died” … but 2 hands restarted my heart 3 times before I was stable again! I believe god sent me back for a reason! I finally understood my purpose!! I finally understood why I had to go thru all the pain I went thru! There’s always a greater purpose for our pain even when we don’t yet understand it! And everything we go thru is a part of our story! I learned that no matter what this life is a blessing!! And all the struggles we face, are only just lessons!! I had to die a little in order to learn to appreciate how it felt to truly live! And I’m ALIVE for the very first time in my LIFE! And my mission here on earth now is to help everyone around me remember who they really are! And that they are stronger than they believe!
to show everyone that we are all connected by the same drum within. We are ONE… one Strongheart Nation under God almighty!
 
my dream has been and always will be to continue shining light into a very dark world! To inspire all those whose paths I cross. To remind people around me how much they are loved and how important we all are!
 
I’ve been doing all this on my own , living off SSI since becoming disabled at the age of 19. I’ve never made any money off sharing my testimony. Everyone I’ve visited I’ve done so on my own expense. My car is all I have. I live with my family still , at the age of 37 , and yes my mama still helps me with bills. It’s not something I’m proud of to have needed help all these years but I’m doing my best n trying to follow the path god has laid out for me. My wish is to be able to continue driving across the nation meeting and inspiring those around me.. sharing my story with those who will listen. And bringing hope to those who have lost it all..
 
aside from going to Tennessee This week to pick up my dog who was found after being missing for 5 years, and needing to raise funds to secure a place of my own so that I can keep her with me, I’d also love to start being able to create a line of merchandise in which portions of all profits will be donated to various cancer and animal rescue organizations world wide. I’d love to continue building and growing Strongheart nation and the purpose behind it. I’d love to one day be able to afford an RV and live on the road meeting all of my friends and followers who’ve shown support over the years.. going to churches prisons hospitals and more, to share my testimony and inspire those who need it the most. This money will also be used to help me keep Azzurra with me , as I cannot bring her back home to queens. I am currently staying in a hotel with her and trying to figure out our next move. I appreciate all the love and support from all of you while I’ve been on this crazy journey ! Love you all! 
 
if anyone is able to donate I’d be so appreciative but even if you can’t , I still love all of you and I’m still going to keep doing this regardless. God bless you all and thank you to anyone who has read this to the end!  Please check out the links below !
 
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Donations 

  • Michelle Loret
    • $10
    • 2 yrs
  • Bruce Sands
    • $25
    • 2 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $10
    • 2 yrs
  • Rebecca Hulls
    • $25
    • 2 yrs
  • Mona DeKock
    • $75
    • 2 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Jennifer Costa
Organizer
Queens Village, NY
Cathy Costa
Beneficiary

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