Leah B. and Her Degree: The Final Hurdle!

Leah Battle is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Help Leah B. Achieve Her Lifelong Dream!

Dear Friends and Supporters,

I am Leah B., and I stand on the brink of achieving a dream that has eluded me for decades—a Bachelor's Degree in Art History. I am an undergraduate senior at Arizona State University and, as I approach my final semester, the culmination of a journey that began in the 1980s, I face unexpected financial hurdles that threaten to derail my aspirations.

My journey to this point has been one of resilience and fortitude. In 2019, despite the challenges of restarting my education after nearly four decades, I seized an opportunity offered through my husband's company—the chance to complete what I started all those years ago. The prospect of closing this chapter filled me with hope and determination. However, life had other plans.

2020, The Bumpy Ride

The tumultuous year of 2020 was rife with unforeseen challenges. Like so many others, I lost my job due to the pandemic, leaving my family in a precarious financial position. Amidst the pandemic uncertainty, my husband left me and my son, plunging us further into turmoil. His sudden departure left me and my son not only emotionally devastated but also financially vulnerable. With control over our finances wrested away, I fought to maintain stability for my son and myself.

The subsequent months were marked by profound hardship. Struggling with deep depression and the weight of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (caused by recurring actions by my husband in the year and a half leading up to the pandemic and his leaving), both my son and I faced unimaginable challenges. Despite these setbacks, I clung to my studies as a lifeline, hoping that the continued positive action of earning my degree would anchor us amidst the storm. Through sheer will to move forward and the support of counseling, we began to heal.

Hopes and Dreams Being Realized

The resilience I cultivated during those dark days propelled me forward. I persevered through academic and mental challenges, maintaining my commitment to my education even when faced with financial and emotional uncertainty. 2021 brought some relief, and I excelled academically, even earning a place on the Dean’s list. Each achievement fueled my determination to see my degree through to the end.

As I approached 2023, our lives slowly began to stabilize. While financial constraints persisted, my resolve remained unshaken. I navigated through mental health challenges, seeking solace in education, the love for my son, and the hope for a brighter future. By 2024, I found myself on the cusp of realizing my dreams, buoyed by academic success (another Dean’s list earned!) and a renewed sense of purpose!

The Last Hurdle

However, just as the finish line came into view, a devastating blow struck. In July 2024, ASU’s Financial Aid office notified me that I was no longer eligible for tuition support, this happened as a result of threats previously levied at me by my husband to take away the tuition that his job was providing for me. A threat that turned into an action of destruction at the very cusp of my dreams becoming a reality. A hurdle I optimistically thought we had overcome. This action leaves me $8096 short of the funds needed to pay for the tuition of my final semester, the last hurdle between me and my degree. Despite tirelessly searching for alternative funding sources, my efforts proved futile.

The Final Countdown

Today, I stand before you with a humble request for support. Your generosity can make a profound difference in my life and the life of my son. Your contribution will not only cover the remaining tuition costs, and necessary course materials but also cover the GoFundMe fees. With your help, I can reclaim control over my future and fulfill a lifelong dream that has sustained me through hardship and adversity.

I ask you to join me in this journey, not merely as donors but as partners in a quest for resilience and triumph. Together, we can rewrite the narrative of hardship into one of hope and achievement. Your support will not only empower me but also serve as a beacon of possibility for others facing similar challenges later in life.

As I prepare to embark on my final semester on August 22, I do so with a heart full of gratitude and optimism. With your kindness and generosity, I am confident that I can overcome this final hurdle and proudly graduate from Arizona State University. Let us make this dream a reality—together.

Thank you for considering my story and for any support you can provide. Your belief in my journey means more than words can express.

FORKS UP!

Help Leah B. get her degree!

With deepest gratitude,

Leah B.