New Smile, New Life
Donation protected
TL;DR
I need major reconstructive jaw surgery, otherwise my jaw joints will break down, my teeth will fall out, and I will struggle to function and breathe. My insurance refuses to cover any part of this, and being legally disabled, I don’t have a lot of money! Please help save my jaw and improve my life tremendously! More details below!
Meet my friend Eleanore! She is 30 years old and works from home. She just opened her very own small jewelry shop where she makes handmade retro style jewelry. While her business is new and does not earn her very much, she has huge dreams for this business and has a passion for her art. Her boyfriend is currently out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but is searching for a new job in his area every day. They continue to be hopeful that his efforts will pay off very soon!
Eleanore needs your help to fix her jaw and teeth. She has several medical conditions that affect her heart rate, blood pressure, nerves, and muscles. She has suffered from these conditions most of her life. Along with these illnesses, all of which are permanently disabling, she was also born with a facial malocclusion.
This malocclusion causes her to have a lack of function of her jaw, intense chronic pain, and difficulty eating, speaking, and breathing. Her teeth are crowded and crooked. She has a large underbite, and severe TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction. Her jaw is askew and her upper palate is collapsed inward. These conditions are shown on the attached x-rays/photos.
The malocclusion causes chronic headaches, neck, shoulder, and back pain. Currently, she is waiting to have her wisdom teeth and two other teeth removed as they are digging into her gums, causing constant pain and inflammation. Once the teeth are removed, the entire weight of her jaw will only rest on four teeth total, as the rest of her teeth do not touch. This will cause the malocclusion to rapidly worsen.
For the majority of her life, the condition was ignored due to lack of family support and funds. However, her time has run out and now she has no choice but to have her condition treated. If she does not, her teeth and joints will break down, making it nearly impossible to function as she gets older.
Eleanore is legally disabled. Medicare has stated that they will only assist with the cost of jaw surgery if a person has cancer or a fracture. As I don’t support the idea of breaking her jaw myself, she must pay the entirety of the surgery out of pocket. While Eleanore has amazing friends and a loving boyfriend, she does not have any connection with her biological family. Not having the support, emotionally or financially, has added to the difficulty of situations like these.
If you’re not aware, having jaw surgery is a long process. These are our goals, which include the estimates given by her doctors as to how much each goal will cost.
THE BREAKDOWN
Goal 1: Removal of wisdom teeth and two front teeth. (Due to other conditions, this procedure must be done in the hospital so that these conditions can be monitored.)
Estimated cost: $2,400.00 - this goal has already been mostly met thanks to several friends. THANK YOU!!
Goal 2: Fill in cavities.
Estimated cost: $2,000.00
Goal 3: First round of orthodontia - this is to get her teeth into position for surgery.
Estimated Cost: $5,680.00
Goal 4: THE BIG ONE! Eleanore’s jaw will be broken (not by me!) and set into the proper position.
Estimated cost: $20,000.00
Total ESTIMATED cost: $27,680.00
After the main surgery, Eleanore will have 12 more months of braces, and will then have a retainer for the rest of her life to keep her teeth in place.
We understand that this is a tough time for everyone; however, Eleanore’s surgery has been put off for years, and now she is in desperate need of your help. We ask you to donate however much you are able and/or share this page so we can get her the help she needs to massively improve her life.
Eleanore makes me smile every time we talk. Let’s make HER smile something she can show off with pride!
Meet my friend Eleanore! She is 30 years old and works from home. She just opened her very own small jewelry shop where she makes handmade retro style jewelry. While her business is new and does not earn her very much, she has huge dreams for this business and has a passion for her art. Her boyfriend is currently out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but is searching for a new job in his area every day. They continue to be hopeful that his efforts will pay off very soon!
Eleanore needs your help to fix her jaw and teeth. She has several medical conditions that affect her heart rate, blood pressure, nerves, and muscles. She has suffered from these conditions most of her life. Along with these illnesses, all of which are permanently disabling, she was also born with a facial malocclusion.
This malocclusion causes her to have a lack of function of her jaw, intense chronic pain, and difficulty eating, speaking, and breathing. Her teeth are crowded and crooked. She has a large underbite, and severe TMJ (temporomandibular joint) dysfunction. Her jaw is askew and her upper palate is collapsed inward. These conditions are shown on the attached x-rays/photos.
The malocclusion causes chronic headaches, neck, shoulder, and back pain. Currently, she is waiting to have her wisdom teeth and two other teeth removed as they are digging into her gums, causing constant pain and inflammation. Once the teeth are removed, the entire weight of her jaw will only rest on four teeth total, as the rest of her teeth do not touch. This will cause the malocclusion to rapidly worsen.
For the majority of her life, the condition was ignored due to lack of family support and funds. However, her time has run out and now she has no choice but to have her condition treated. If she does not, her teeth and joints will break down, making it nearly impossible to function as she gets older.
Eleanore is legally disabled. Medicare has stated that they will only assist with the cost of jaw surgery if a person has cancer or a fracture. As I don’t support the idea of breaking her jaw myself, she must pay the entirety of the surgery out of pocket. While Eleanore has amazing friends and a loving boyfriend, she does not have any connection with her biological family. Not having the support, emotionally or financially, has added to the difficulty of situations like these.
If you’re not aware, having jaw surgery is a long process. These are our goals, which include the estimates given by her doctors as to how much each goal will cost.
THE BREAKDOWN
Goal 1: Removal of wisdom teeth and two front teeth. (Due to other conditions, this procedure must be done in the hospital so that these conditions can be monitored.)
Estimated cost: $2,400.00 - this goal has already been mostly met thanks to several friends. THANK YOU!!
Goal 2: Fill in cavities.
Estimated cost: $2,000.00
Goal 3: First round of orthodontia - this is to get her teeth into position for surgery.
Estimated Cost: $5,680.00
Goal 4: THE BIG ONE! Eleanore’s jaw will be broken (not by me!) and set into the proper position.
Estimated cost: $20,000.00
Total ESTIMATED cost: $27,680.00
After the main surgery, Eleanore will have 12 more months of braces, and will then have a retainer for the rest of her life to keep her teeth in place.
We understand that this is a tough time for everyone; however, Eleanore’s surgery has been put off for years, and now she is in desperate need of your help. We ask you to donate however much you are able and/or share this page so we can get her the help she needs to massively improve her life.
Eleanore makes me smile every time we talk. Let’s make HER smile something she can show off with pride!
Organizer
Jonathan A Copeland
Organizer
Jacksonville, FL