Lasantha's Living Expenses
Donation protected
Lasantha is a gifted writer and a dedicated educator who suffers from multiple sclerosis. When we first met as graduate students at ISU around six years ago, he seemed healthy. Then he had to start using a cane, after that a walker and finally a scooter. At this point, his body is letting him down so badly that it is often impossible for him to go to the bathroom or to stand up after a fall.
Amazingly, Lasantha has remained one of the strongest and most positive people I know. His kindness, humor and resilience make a lasting impression on the people who meet him in person and through his words. He cherishes his friends, loves animals and finds solace at church. He always appreciates little joys like the lightness he feels while swimming or the comfort of drinking a cup of coffee. As a teacher, he helps his students read compassionately, think creatively and develop their potential as writers. He is reluctant to ask for help, but he is making a difference in his community by volunteering as a tutor.
His words and actions inspire so many people. But now he needs our support. Within the past few months, he has undergone a series of medical emergencies and intermittent bouts of depression. His family lives in his home country Sri Lanka, and he is on his own in a studio apartment in Normal, IL. Even though he is still teaching online classes in creative writing and literature as an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Maryland, his income is too small to cover food, rent and medicine. He is struggling in so many ways, but at least we can ease one of his worries. So please consider chipping in and sharing his story. All contributions, small and large, will be used for his living expenses.
Thank you so much for your support and for showing Lasantha that we are there for him!
To get to know more about Lasantha in his own voice, take a look at his publications:
Fireflies in the Dark: A Memoir
Fireflies Can Sing
Amazingly, Lasantha has remained one of the strongest and most positive people I know. His kindness, humor and resilience make a lasting impression on the people who meet him in person and through his words. He cherishes his friends, loves animals and finds solace at church. He always appreciates little joys like the lightness he feels while swimming or the comfort of drinking a cup of coffee. As a teacher, he helps his students read compassionately, think creatively and develop their potential as writers. He is reluctant to ask for help, but he is making a difference in his community by volunteering as a tutor.
His words and actions inspire so many people. But now he needs our support. Within the past few months, he has undergone a series of medical emergencies and intermittent bouts of depression. His family lives in his home country Sri Lanka, and he is on his own in a studio apartment in Normal, IL. Even though he is still teaching online classes in creative writing and literature as an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Maryland, his income is too small to cover food, rent and medicine. He is struggling in so many ways, but at least we can ease one of his worries. So please consider chipping in and sharing his story. All contributions, small and large, will be used for his living expenses.
Thank you so much for your support and for showing Lasantha that we are there for him!
To get to know more about Lasantha in his own voice, take a look at his publications:
Fireflies in the Dark: A Memoir
Fireflies Can Sing
Organizer and beneficiary
Helena Oberzaucher
Organizer
Normal, IL
Lasantha Rodrigo
Beneficiary