*****UPDATE MAY 2026*****

Things have quieted down since losing my battle with Inland Regional Center. I continue to pay $500 monthly out of pocket. I exhausted all of my cash I had saved in my closet about a month ago. I’ve always been good with my finances, so it will work but money got really tight once my savings emptied out.

Was it worth it? Yes.

Since having my teeth, I have had no health issues, hospitalizations, or swallowing problems. I wear my bottom denture 24/7 only taking them out to have my worker clean. I am still practicing with my tops, as my muscle spasticity makes learning new muscle moving interesting. But there is progress there.

My balance is down to $24,676.74!

I am on a fixed income and thanks to all of you I’ve raised 9% of my goal!!! I am so grateful for your support. Please consider continuing to partner with me and click the link to give. Thank you!

*****UPDATE JANUARY 2026*****

This summer, I appealed Inland Regional Center after being denied help for my denture and implant procedure. IRC stated they weren’t responsible because I hadn’t asked ahead of time.

Over six months, my worker and I reviewed every document dating back to 2016. Some records showed they were aware of my dental goals — notes like “Cathy wants to look into dentures and implants” — but none documented financial requests. After mediation and a formal hearing in November, IRC denied all resources.

When I began this process, my fight was expected to be with Delta Dental. Unfortunately, Delta was removed from my Kaiser plan just days after I signed my loan, and my dental office does not accept Medi-Cal. I was left fully responsible for the cost.

Because of your support, my life has truly changed. I can eat again, I’m gaining back weight I lost last year, and I’m now working with a personal trainer to rebuild strength in my arms and legs. After a long road of gum surgeries, sores, adjustments, pain, and learning new daily habits, I can comfortably wear my bottom dentures — and even my tops when I go out (or want a juicy steak ).

I’m still paying $500 a month out of pocket to bring this loan down as quickly as possible. My balance is now $25,400 — progress, but still a long way to go.

I’m asking again (and possibly yearly) for any financial support you’re able to give. Any contribution is an investment in my health, my confidence, and my dream of finally having teeth.

Thank you for changing my life and for considering helping me again. ❤️

*UPDATE 6/24/25 So it’s official! Thanks to you I came home with my new set of forever teeth. Also thanks to your generosity, I’ve been able to pay since my first month in February and I am covered all the way through half of September this year (2025). I’ve been able to pay $500 a month instead of $363.59. My goal is to have this paid off in 1-3 year instead of 11 years! Here is a breakdown of my cost:

Monthly $363.59

Principle $107.85

Interest $255.74

Loan principal amount: $29,000

Transaction date: Dec 24,2024

Maturity Date: December 23, 2036

I understand this is high, that’s why I need your help. We are still battling insurance companies after I was removed from my primary dental insurance policy only SEVEN DAYS AFTER we had already begun this process, even though that was the only insurance my dentist accepts. (I signed documents and transaction was made for this process/procedure 12/24/24. I was removed from my insurance policy 12/31/24 without documentation to inform me). Medi-cal/denti-cal will not cover this and we are still in the process of appealing with both IRC and Insurance companies to prove this is medical necessity, and I have support advocating to get me put back on the policy my dentists accepts with back pay.

How can you help? Here are some practical steps for you to stay with me on this journey:

✅ Click the link to donate a bill or even part of one bill.

✅ share this with friends and family members, anyone you know.

✅ Post this to your social media page and stories.

✅Follow my page to watch my journey over the next 40 days as I share more about my life with cerebral palsy, my journey to more teeth, and get to know me :)

That’s’ it!

Thanks everyone! Let’s do this!

______________________________________________

*Update 1/27: Cathy mentioned if you would like to give via cash, check or zelle that is also welcome! Please direct message us for the info!

Update: Procedure is soon now! Molds are completed! Temporary dentures are built! February 7th is the big day! The loan got approved for $29,000 and even covers the anesthesiologist!

This is my client Cathy. I had the privilege of getting to know her and supporting her before covid, until we could no longer meet due to the pandemic. Now that we are back together again, I get to support her on her journey to having teeth again!

25 years ago, Cathy had a basic dental cleaning done under anesthesia due to her spasticity disorder and cerebral palsy which makes it a huge challenge to stay still for any procedures. When Cathy awoke, she woke up to this. A mouth full of missing teeth. Although we understand sometimes a dentist will pull teeth as they see fit, the amount of teeth left Cathy with difficulties eating and in her words, “feeling like a freak.”

Cathy’s story continues to inspire me and Im happy to share that she led an amazing life in spite of any disabilities she has had. This is includes awards for horse back riding, working with children with special needs for 19 years and assisting teachers in understanding their students and their needs. Her contribution to society is invaluable.

Would you join me in giving back to Cathy the smile she longs for and deserves? When I asked Cathy how having snap-in dentures would benefit her life (outside of a smile she’s confident of), her response is the following:

-Better self esteem.

-The ability to annunciate her words better. (This is a huge challenge I watch regularly in the context of society and things as simple as talking to a receptionist for a doctors appointment. Not being understood or heard is not a good feeling for anyone).

-She could smile more.

-She could eat better without it being such a challenge to chew and swallow her food.

We are so thrilled to start this journey as we found a procedure and a loan company that finally accepted her! As her insurance does not feel it a necessity for any type of implants, Cathy requested extra support in raising the funds herself to pay off the loan.

Thanks to all of you for joining us in this journey and I can’t wait to post updates and results!

You can give back now by clicking the link that says “Donate Now.”

And would you share this fundraiser with your friends? It would mean so much to us! The more people contributing, the faster she can reach her goal of paying off the loan with minimal interest.

Thank you in advance and Cathy says she will be so beyond appreciative when this goal is achieved. We can’t wait!

Rebecca Gallaway & Cathy Sulsona

(This message was done with and approved by Cathy Sulsona)

Loan approved for $29,000. Benchmark Goals of $7500.