No way would Laurie Phenix miss seeing her daughter, Erin, swim in Sydney. There for Erin's first swimming lessons at age 8, her mother would hardly miss out on a chance to see her compete at the Olympics. It will be a stretch financially. A lot of things are a la carte.
Food is extra.
Good but not cheap. Now a sophomore at the University of Texas in Austin, Erin is on scholarship. But it doesn't pay for everything. Phone calls home, for instance. Friends are determined to help.