Bring Karen's smile and VOICE back!

On February 24, 2024 I was in a horrific freak accident. I broke my front jaw, fractured all my front bottom teeth and got a black eye. If you want to see pictures, I'll send them privately, but be warned, I looked like a zombie from the Apocalypse!

I was rushed to the hospital where the doctors were able to pop my jaw back into place (was as painful as it sounds), and then wired my teeth and jaw together.

To say that I was in shock is underwhelming. I did not know what my next steps would be, so I just followed the ER's recommendations and went to the Oral Surgery department (Residency program) at that hospital the following Monday.

Again, I had NO CLUE on dental procedures of any kind other than getting cleanings and filling cavities, so I needed advice and options!

I've spent those first eleven weeks going to the Oral Surgery department every two weeks with no clear plan, or diagnosis. I saw a different resident surgeon every time and all they would say is I was healing nicely (my jaw) and that two of my front teeth had to come out.

I spent HUNDREDS of dollars on empty visits.

I spent another $500 on a flipper contraption that was not the right size, nor had the spaces for four teeth! MIND you, they made a mold image of my teeth...WASTED MONEY!!!

THIS is where I decided to take matters into my own hands....I spoke to several friends, looked up several dentists/oral surgeons and went into research mode.

I paid out of pocket for FOUR different consultations...The most expensive was going into $100k PLUS...and that was JUST for those 4 front teeth!

Finally found a dentist I was comfortable with. We had a full mouth consultation, they took x-rays, CT scan and pictures of ALL my teeth and mouth. They also REMOVED the wires. The dentist told me that almost three months with those wires was NOT helping me at all!

Seems that not only were my front teeth fractured to the bone and have to come out, but the impact loosened two more teeth, (would be ALL SIX front teeth!), which may need to come out as well, cracked a crown in the back and that molar is decaying! PLUS another molar had been chipped and my jaw does not close properly. I bite the inside of my cheek constantly, causing irritation to the skin.

The last 12 weeks have been traumatic and surreal to say the least, but the next 4-6 months will be traumatic AND restorative.

My mouth and head hurt constantly. I can't eat, sleep, or speak properly. A silver lining is that I lost about 15 pounds. Most of you know I work TALKING to people all day long. I serve clients with food, clothes, and other social service resources. As well as my holiday "Grumpy Elf" season where we serve the children and families with toys, gifts and Thanksgiving dinners. From October to December, I'm talking and networking with sponsors and donors for these families.

And I love to smile and LAUGH....I haven't done much of either these last 3 months...I'm actually afraid my teeth will fall out!

Dental insurance will NOT cover these procedures. They MAY cover some tooth extractions but won't cover what needs to go back in! And will not cover the cracked crowns or any other work that needs to be done. I will need bone grafts, root canals, extractions, crowns, caps, bridges and who knows what else!

I have maxed out my credit cards and emptied out the savings. I'm looking at a possibly $40k to $50k in just this accident!

If you need any further information, please contact me directly via email or text.

Thank you! Gracias! Merci! Grazie! Mahalo!

Karen