She isn't ready for someone like me?

I have had a crush on my friend for months. It turned into very strong feelings for her. Last night, she told me (over the phone) that she had something to tell me. It took me an hour to get her to spit it out, but in the end she said, "I'm not ready to fall in love with someone like you." I was speechless. Then I asked her what she meant by 'someone like me', and she said, "Someone real." I understand that. However, she's going around with this pothead of a boy letting him do things to her and take advantage of her. She's lived a hard life and I know she's damaged, but do you you think I should still try to get her to be with me? I wouldn't force it or anything, but I don't know what to do with myself. I want her so badly, and all day today was agonizing, knowing she has feelings but doesn't know how to act on them. What do I do???