Survivor of Childhood Neglect Needs New Teeth
Donation protected
I’ve struggled with my dental health ever since I was young, having grown up largely without dental insurance and poor dental genetics. I was rarely able to go to the dentist as a child (twice, my whole life, due to parents who didn't care enough to help), and lost the privilege entirely in early adulthood. In that time I’ve struggled with cavities, broken teeth, discoloration, receding gums, chronically poor breath, and recurrent unbearable pain-- all on my own. Also during this time, I have been turned away, mocked, and harassed so violently by dental professionals that I have developed a healthy phobia of dental surgery; one that must now be remedied by sedation (this fear has been so intense in the past that I have attempted my own extractions multiple times, over facing a dentist).
Due to all this, I felt my teeth were a lost cause. For those that don’t know me, I ran away from my family home in 2018, and later had to entirely cut my mother out of my life for my own health and safety. Finding my stability since has been incredibly difficult, and my teeth kept coming up last. That is, until now.
I have a tooth in my mouth that needs to be pulled ASAP. It’s infected, impacted, and has broken its neighboring tooth. It’s been worsening over the last 4 years, and has recently reached a peak. I'd been able to manage the pain with ibuprofen in the past, but that isn’t helping anymore. I ended up going to urgent care for antibiotics the other night and was prescribed codeine as well, to deal with the pain, and that hardly took the edge off. I'm in so much pain, and need it OUT. I can't even eat at this point- not fruits, not veggies. I often swallow what I can in whole chunks, wreaking havoc on my digestive system. My immediate overall health is dwindling because of my teeth.
With the assistance of my fiancé and her family, I have finally found a dentist who is willing to take care of me and hold my hand through-out the process (so-to-speak). They offer sedation, short-term anxiety medications, pain medication for aftercare (this is shockingly rare), and basic human empathy; they even have a working service dog. Additionally, they offer a “dental membership card” that will allow for a 25% discount on all dental work I receive. It covers literally everything.
To get that membership card, I need to raise $325 by May 11th.
However, my dental emergencies don’t stop there. I also need all of my cavities filled, with crowns put on certain teeth. It doesn’t show well in the pictures I’ve provided, but I have at least one cavity in every single tooth; my back teeth being the worst, preventing me from eating most foods (as mentioned before; I am very nearly in need of converting to a liquid diet, at this point).
If you're able and willing to help me, I'd be so grateful. Even if that just means sharing this fundraiser on twitter, facebook, or instagram. I know my quality of life will get better as soon as my dental health is better, and I won't be able to do this without community help. I need your help.
Thank you so, so much. I will update this as my care continues. ❤️❤️❤
Due to all this, I felt my teeth were a lost cause. For those that don’t know me, I ran away from my family home in 2018, and later had to entirely cut my mother out of my life for my own health and safety. Finding my stability since has been incredibly difficult, and my teeth kept coming up last. That is, until now.
I have a tooth in my mouth that needs to be pulled ASAP. It’s infected, impacted, and has broken its neighboring tooth. It’s been worsening over the last 4 years, and has recently reached a peak. I'd been able to manage the pain with ibuprofen in the past, but that isn’t helping anymore. I ended up going to urgent care for antibiotics the other night and was prescribed codeine as well, to deal with the pain, and that hardly took the edge off. I'm in so much pain, and need it OUT. I can't even eat at this point- not fruits, not veggies. I often swallow what I can in whole chunks, wreaking havoc on my digestive system. My immediate overall health is dwindling because of my teeth.
With the assistance of my fiancé and her family, I have finally found a dentist who is willing to take care of me and hold my hand through-out the process (so-to-speak). They offer sedation, short-term anxiety medications, pain medication for aftercare (this is shockingly rare), and basic human empathy; they even have a working service dog. Additionally, they offer a “dental membership card” that will allow for a 25% discount on all dental work I receive. It covers literally everything.
To get that membership card, I need to raise $325 by May 11th.
However, my dental emergencies don’t stop there. I also need all of my cavities filled, with crowns put on certain teeth. It doesn’t show well in the pictures I’ve provided, but I have at least one cavity in every single tooth; my back teeth being the worst, preventing me from eating most foods (as mentioned before; I am very nearly in need of converting to a liquid diet, at this point).
If you're able and willing to help me, I'd be so grateful. Even if that just means sharing this fundraiser on twitter, facebook, or instagram. I know my quality of life will get better as soon as my dental health is better, and I won't be able to do this without community help. I need your help.
Thank you so, so much. I will update this as my care continues. ❤️❤️❤
Organizer
Amy Day
Organizer
Edmonds, WA