For nearly 20 years, I was a victim of human trafficking. Surviving that is one thing, rebuilding a life afterward is another. I have been free from chains of trafficking for over 5 years now, and I have worked to stabilize every part of my life: I earned my degree, built a career as a case manager for the same organization that saved my life, and now spend my days advocating for other survivors navigating the same systems and struggles I once faced. Every barrier I have overcome (and there have been many) has brought me closer to the life I always believed I deserved. There is one piece still missing. Since I was a little girl, I have dreamed of becoming a mother. My long-time partner, Stephen and I want nothing more than to build our family together. Along with now being 40 years old, I have Marfan syndrome, a genetic connective tissue disorder that runs through my mother’s side of the family. Although I was lucky enough to only have very mild effects from the mutation, there is no way of determining if your unborn child will have the same luck. More of my relatives have inherited it than haven’t, and they suffered/suffer more severe conditions caused by Marfans. I have watched loved ones endure heartbreaking medical complications because of it, from childhood into adulthood. Aortic dissections and aneurysms, vision issues (blindness or legally blind), pulmonary problems and skeletal deformity that impair their everyday quality of life, just to name a few. Many of them had to undergo multiple and serious surgeries, and some did not survive them. I have a 50% chance of passing this condition on to any biological child, and after seeing firsthand what Marfan Syndrome has done to my family, I refuse to knowingly pass it to my son or daughter. That is why we are pursuing IVF with PGT-M (preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders), which allows embryos to be screened for Marfan syndrome before implantation, giving us the chance to have a biological child without passing on this condition. We have already had a consultation with CNY Fertility in Sarasota and are ready to move forward. The funds from this campaign will go directly toward the IVF cycle, PGT-M genetic testing, and the medications required throughout the process. The costs that are significant and, for many survivors rebuilding their lives like I am, simply out of reach without help. As I have saved up some money for this, time is not on my side to be able to be able to save the rest, it would take me a few years to do this. Becoming a mother is something I have wanted for as long as I can remember. I have fought harder than most people will ever know to reclaim my life, my safety, and my future — and now I am fighting for the chance to give a child the safe, loving, healthy start I always wanted for myself. Every contribution, big or small, brings Stephen and I one step closer to being able comple our family. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.