Help Erinne Smile Again
Donation protected
I hate my smile. Or more appropriately, I hate that I can't smile without feeling awful. Please give whatever you can to help me regain my smile and happiness. It would mean the world to me.
Why?
For more than a year and a half, I've been living without two teeth--one being my front tooth. This has been devastating for my self-esteem and confidence, and has caused what is sometimes crippling anxiety and depression. I used to like smiling at strangers--no more. Smile big for the camera? Rarely. And have you seen my closed-mouth smile? It's really awkward, and makes me look like I'm trying to pretend I'm happy about something--and failing.
What happened?
For those who don't know the back story, here it goes:
In April 2012, I was riding my bike with a group of friends on the Historic Columbia River Highway on an absolutely gorgeous, sunny spring day. But then I crashed after accidentally riding into a massive pothole (which has since been fixed in a major repaving project) on my way downhill from Crown Point. I endoed (flew head-first over my handlebars) and landed on my face, breaking my jaw in two places, knocking out one tooth and crushing another that had to be pulled out later.
What about insurance/Obamacare?
I'm fortunate to have health insurance, but while my health insurance helped cover surgeries and treatments to heal my jaw, they refuse to help with replacing my teeth. Despite the fact that I lost them in an accident, and despite formal appeals, they will not cover dental implants. My dental insurance also will not cover dental implants. The Oregon Department of Transportation, which is responsible for the HCRH, rejected my tort claim against them. And please don't ask about the Affordable Care Act--that doesn't cover ANY dental care for adults.
That's a lot of money for two teeth!
Tell me about it! Dental implants are very expensive on their own. And because healing my smile will require bone grafts and recapping another tooth to make room for one of the new ones, my new teeth will cost nearly $9,000, based on the least-expensive estimate from 3 oral surgeons. I'm rounding up my goal a bit to account for part of the GoFundMe fees.
Why have I waited so long to start fundraising?
Read the part about crippling anxiety and depression above, and add to it a healthy dose of "I wish so much that I didn't have to do this, and I really shouldn't because I have insurance, but my insurance is just woefully inadequate and cruel...."
Thank You!
So please, if you can, donate a bit or a bunch to help me get smiling again. Every donor gets at least a handwritten thank you card and a big hug. And of course a huge smile :) ... Thank you so very much in advance!
Why?
For more than a year and a half, I've been living without two teeth--one being my front tooth. This has been devastating for my self-esteem and confidence, and has caused what is sometimes crippling anxiety and depression. I used to like smiling at strangers--no more. Smile big for the camera? Rarely. And have you seen my closed-mouth smile? It's really awkward, and makes me look like I'm trying to pretend I'm happy about something--and failing.
What happened?
For those who don't know the back story, here it goes:
In April 2012, I was riding my bike with a group of friends on the Historic Columbia River Highway on an absolutely gorgeous, sunny spring day. But then I crashed after accidentally riding into a massive pothole (which has since been fixed in a major repaving project) on my way downhill from Crown Point. I endoed (flew head-first over my handlebars) and landed on my face, breaking my jaw in two places, knocking out one tooth and crushing another that had to be pulled out later.
What about insurance/Obamacare?
I'm fortunate to have health insurance, but while my health insurance helped cover surgeries and treatments to heal my jaw, they refuse to help with replacing my teeth. Despite the fact that I lost them in an accident, and despite formal appeals, they will not cover dental implants. My dental insurance also will not cover dental implants. The Oregon Department of Transportation, which is responsible for the HCRH, rejected my tort claim against them. And please don't ask about the Affordable Care Act--that doesn't cover ANY dental care for adults.
That's a lot of money for two teeth!
Tell me about it! Dental implants are very expensive on their own. And because healing my smile will require bone grafts and recapping another tooth to make room for one of the new ones, my new teeth will cost nearly $9,000, based on the least-expensive estimate from 3 oral surgeons. I'm rounding up my goal a bit to account for part of the GoFundMe fees.
Why have I waited so long to start fundraising?
Read the part about crippling anxiety and depression above, and add to it a healthy dose of "I wish so much that I didn't have to do this, and I really shouldn't because I have insurance, but my insurance is just woefully inadequate and cruel...."
Thank You!
So please, if you can, donate a bit or a bunch to help me get smiling again. Every donor gets at least a handwritten thank you card and a big hug. And of course a huge smile :) ... Thank you so very much in advance!
Organizer
Erinne Goodell
Organizer
Portland, OR
