Cal’s Cleft Journey
Donation protected
Our son, Callahan, was born in January with bilateral cleft lip and palate. He has a long road of surgeries, hospital stays, therapy and other dental/orthodontic work ahead of him. He uses special bottles to eat and will work with OT when it’s time to start purées and solids. Despite his challenges he is a happy baby full of personality and very funny facial expressions.
The first step in his journey is getting a NAM device. The device is similar to a retainer and will help him eat, stop the painful feeling of bottles rubbing on his septum and help his face grow as close to “normal” as possible so that his first surgery at 3-4 months old will, hopefully, be easier on him. It will also set him up for success before his future surgeries.
As amazing as modern technology is, everything comes with a price tag. A specialty dentist will be molding, creating and adjusting his NAM, but because those steps are billed with “medical codes” our insurance will not cover a dentist doing it. We are looking at about $1000 out of pocket just to start his NAM process, which is scheduled to start at the beginning of next week. We have tried multiple other avenues for insurance options and funding, but resources are slim.
Kyle and I are not the type to ask for help, but with a newborn baby with medical issues and two other kids at home, we have to be open to it. We appreciate our friends & family who pushed us to create this campaign for baby Cal.
If you can’t donate, feel free to share. Thank you!
- Dakotah
The first step in his journey is getting a NAM device. The device is similar to a retainer and will help him eat, stop the painful feeling of bottles rubbing on his septum and help his face grow as close to “normal” as possible so that his first surgery at 3-4 months old will, hopefully, be easier on him. It will also set him up for success before his future surgeries.
As amazing as modern technology is, everything comes with a price tag. A specialty dentist will be molding, creating and adjusting his NAM, but because those steps are billed with “medical codes” our insurance will not cover a dentist doing it. We are looking at about $1000 out of pocket just to start his NAM process, which is scheduled to start at the beginning of next week. We have tried multiple other avenues for insurance options and funding, but resources are slim.
Kyle and I are not the type to ask for help, but with a newborn baby with medical issues and two other kids at home, we have to be open to it. We appreciate our friends & family who pushed us to create this campaign for baby Cal.
If you can’t donate, feel free to share. Thank you!
- Dakotah
Organizer
Dakotah Colechia
Organizer
Alton, RI