Jaw Reconstruction Surgery

Hey everyone, my name is Alethia. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. I am a poor 2Spirit trans femme. Recently turned a quarter century (25.)

I have had a malocclusion class III ever since I could remember. My lower jaw has always been more pronounced and has matured faster than my upper jaw ever could’ve wanted. In 2015 I started my orthodontic treatment to treat my underbite. Since I have a class III malocclusion I had to not only collaborate with an orthodontist but also with an oral surgeon that specializes in correcting bad bites.

Throughout my orthodontic treatment it was said many times that my underbite was going to get worst before it can get better & I wish I took their words more seriously because I never knew how that would begin to negatively impact my life.. the way I viewed myself.. the snide comments from people, “making fun of me // just joking” added up and tremendously depleted my confidence but also my self-esteem and how I thought others viewed me. I would hide my lower jaw with my lower lip by not smiling as pronounced. I found ways to navigate my insecurities. Sometimes avoiding the public caused me to miss out on finishing school, orthodontic treatment & other personal events out of the dysphoria that I have received from the state of my jaw.

Most of my orthodontic treatment was covered by the insurance up until I turned 21- which I had to start paying $ 125.00 every 4-6 depending on my visits with my orthodontist. And due to the price, I hardly made appointments because at the time I was in an unhealthy living situation that caused me literally to live paycheck to paycheck (aka client to client, because most of my income was generated by survival in-person sex work) and an extra bill just was an added stressor to already rising with anxiety daily…

As most of the people, I am closest to/folks on IG know... I recently underwent reconstructive jaw surgery to help align my underbite. The jaw surgery was THANKFULLY covered by my insurance but unfortunately, my insurance denied coverage on my genioplasty that I also received due to my doctor’s recommendation. The insurance company viewed the genioplasty as cosmetic.

The difference is shown in the picture below:

With genioplasty / Without genioplasty

I went with his recommendation ultimately because I truly want to look in the mirror and not regret the surgery (it would look as though I have a receding chin had I not received the genioplasty [will upload pictures so y'all have a reference] I didn't want to have jaw surgery only to feel like I look like I have an overbite, no shade. I am on a non-chew liquid / mushy diet until 6 weeks when I can finally eat SOFT foods like overcooked pasta, rice etc.

Being that my insurance denied me, the receptionist in charge of billing worked out a payment plan with me. My mom helped me pay a $400 deposit and will be paying $600 until the last month when she will pay $500 bringing us to a total of 4,500 coming out of my mother's pocket. Being that I am a survival-based sex worker most of my income helped pay for me to just stay afloat. I won't be able to help her and I feel like it's unfair to expect her, a 62-year-old woman, to pay all that off.. granted I will eventually pay her back.. but I also am unsure as to when and worried that anything can happen and she may miss a payment.

With this in mind, each month I will try to do LIVE events via social media for mutual aid, etc. Also because she is working she couldn’t opt into taking care of me as originally planned.. so that responsibility became something my partner has to take on, along with paying off my portion of the rent until I can go back to work.

He juggles working a regular 9-5 (that doesn't pay that well) while also volunteering for Black Trans Liberation Kitchen every Wednesday while simultaneously taking care of me. A literal superman. I don't want to burn him out or burden him even further so this community aid and ask will help us out while I recover, recovery is the hardest part.

The ask will not only cover my genioplasty cost, it will cover groceries, BILLS, any appointments I have upcoming with the orthodontist, and also just something for some leisure while I focus on recovering and not survival.

If 1,000 people donated just 10 dollars Id makes my goal. I think I can make this in 6 months! Please help me reach my goal.