A Second Chance for Jacy: Help Him Smile Again

Jacy is 17 years old, but he carries the heart of someone far beyond his years. He is the kind of person who lights up a room—not with loud words or grand gestures, but with quiet acts of kindness and a deep sense of responsibility toward the people he loves. He’s the friend who will spend hours on the phone comforting someone after a breakup. Not only that, but he’s the son who instinctively grabs his mother’s wheelchair to make sure she gets where she needs to go. And he’s the neighbor who takes care of the little free library and food shelf in his front yard because he believes in giving back to his community.

Jacy has always been thoughtful, curious, and innovative. As a young boy, he was identified as gifted and talented, excelling in advanced math classes and dreaming of attending MIT to study engineering. But Jacy’s true passion has always been performing. Whether it was playing Steve the Elf in a holiday show or trying out modeling to help pay for college, Jacy found joy in making people smile.

But in September 2019, everything changed.

The Accident That Changed Everything

At just 11 years old, Jacy was returning home from Circus Juventas classes—his heart full of pride after mastering his first jump off the Russian Swing. As he stepped into a pedestrian crosswalk near a train station in St. Paul, tragedy struck. A train hit him full in the face.

The injuries were devastating: a broken leg, a severe concussion, and extensive trauma to his jaw and teeth. Jacy lost four teeth immediately, with four more falling out over the next two years due to facial trauma. His maxillary bone was shattered and had to be reconstructed through surgery.

Despite these challenges, Jacy showed incredible resilience during his recovery. He endured weeks of drinking through a straw due to swollen lips and months of painful medical appointments with specialists ranging from plastic surgeons to neurologists. Through it all, Jacy remained strong—not just for himself, but for his family. He even stayed with his grandfather during recovery so they could take care of each other and share moments of joy through board games and laughter.

The Fight for His Future

The accident left lasting scars—not just physical but emotional as well. Jacy struggled with lingering effects from his concussion that impacted his ability to process math as he once did. Kids at school teased him about his missing teeth, leading him to withdraw socially. COVID-19 masks provided temporary relief from judgment, but the deeper issue remained: Jacy needed extensive dental reconstruction to reclaim his smile—and with it, his confidence.

Unfortunately, navigating the healthcare system proved nearly as challenging as recovering from the accident itself. Metro Transit denied liability for the accident, leaving Jacy’s family caught in an insurance nightmare with mounting medical bills and no clear path forward. Orthodontists delayed treatment until he finished growing; insurance policies changed; approvals were denied; and every step forward seemed met with another obstacle.

Update - Most of the funds for Phase 1 Orthodontics has been raised and will be started in August. We are so grateful for the community support. But in the meantime, we have lost our oral surgeon and funds will need to be raised for that, then Phase 3 will be to cover the costs of the implants, which could cost $20-40,000 to replace 4-8 teeth (we are not sure yet if 4 teeth will survive and may still need to be replaced). The last step is plastic surgery to repair scar damage to his lips as this needs to be done after he has front teeth!

Now at 17 years old, Jacy is running out of time. To complete the necessary bone grafts, implants, and orthodontic work before he turns 21 (when critical support ends), he needs braces immediately—a cost totaling $80,000.

Why Jacy Deserves Your Support

Jacy’s family is asking for your help to give Jacy a second chance to smile without hesitation or fear of judgment. He has already proven himself as someone who gives back to others in countless ways:

- **A Caregiver**: Whether it’s helping his mother navigate her wheelchair or comforting friends in need, Jacy is always there for others.

- **A Leader**: He serves on the Saint Paul Planning Commission and dreams of making an impact like his heroes—Barack Obama, Mayor Melvin Carter, and Vice President Kamala Harris.

- **A Dreamer**: Despite everything he’s endured, Jacy still dreams big about college and exploring fields like history, business, and science.

- **A Performer**: From circus acts to political comedy (he loves Trevor Noah and Josh Johnson), Jacy finds joy in bringing smiles to others—even when he hides his own.

Jacy has spent years learning how to smile without showing his teeth—practicing in front of mirrors before school pictures—but it’s time for him to smile freely again.

How You Can Help

This fundraiser will cover the $8,000 cost of orthodontia so that Jacy can begin the journey toward full dental reconstruction before it’s too late. Every dollar brings him closer to reclaiming not just his smile, but also the confidence that will carry him into adulthood as the bright star he was always meant to be.

Jacy has spent his life taking care of others—his family, friends, neighbors, and community. Now it’s our turn to take care of him.

Let’s give Jacy the second chance he deserves—a chance to smile again without holding back.

Thank you for reading this and supporting Jacy at this vulnerable time.