I survived an 8-hour brain surgery after being hit by a drunk driver, and now I’m fighting to keep my life from falling apart.

I am 35 years old and a mother to two teenage girls who still depend on me for safety, stability, and reassurance. Before the accident, I was in school, working relentlessly toward a better future, ranking in the top 5% of my program, and finally feeling like I was building something secure for my children.

Then everything changed.

After the collision, I suffered a traumatic head injury that led to two brain aneurysms. I underwent an 8-hour craniotomy to save my life. There was real uncertainty about whether I would wake up.

I survived—but survival was only the beginning.

Recovery has been long, painful, and humbling. I was forced to pause my education and step away from work so I could focus entirely on healing. While my brain and body work to recover from life-saving surgery, everyday life did not stop. Rent is still due. Groceries are still needed. Utilities still need to be paid.

Each day, I am trying to heal while also holding my family together. I am doing my best to stay strong for my daughters while quietly carrying the fear of how to keep our lives stable during a time when I cannot yet fully provide on my own.

This fundraiser is to help cover basic living expenses—rent, utilities, food, transportation, and essential needs—so I can focus on recovery without the constant fear of losing the foundation my children rely on.

I am not asking for comfort or excess. I am asking for time and stability—time to heal, and stability so my daughters can feel safe while their mother recovers from brain surgery.

If you are able to donate, even a small amount truly makes a difference. If you are unable to give, sharing this page is an act of kindness I deeply appreciate.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring. Thank you for helping us get through the hardest chapter of our lives.

—Marina