Fraser's reconstructive jaw surgery
Donation protected
Fraser was born with a large lower jaw. We knew we were going to need braces at some point, but had no idea that he would end up needing reconstructive jaw surgery.
On our first visit to the orthodontist when Fraser was 7, we were told that he would most likely need jaw surgery once he had stopped growing to correct the severity of his underbite.
For the next 10 years, Fraser has been in and out of braces 3 times, worn multiple retainers and had more molds taken of his teeth than anyone I know! Two years ago, and thousands of out of pocket dollars later, we were advised to stop all orthodontist work because at this point we should just wait until he was fully grown, his bones were developed, and then proceed with the surgery.
Fraser has always been underweight and has had a hard time eating because of the misalignment of his jaws. I now know that it is because he has never been able to chew properly. When you can't breakdown the food in your mouth the way it should be, then your digestion is off, causing stomach pain and discomfort. Fraser has lived with a sore stomach pretty much his whole life which makes eating no fun! He is 6'2" and weighs 125lbs.
Fraser graduated a year early from High School to take a year off and get his jaw fixed and be healed for good. He is gifted in music and photography and has high aspirations of a future in the arts. His goals are to head to CA and attend Santa Monica College in the fall to build up his portfolio and get some undergraduate classes under his belt before applying to some of the country's best art and music schools.
Our goal for him this year here in DC, was to get this surgery finished and behind us so he could be off on his way and fly.
We found a great surgeon and orthodontist that work together here in Washington DC and started the prep work, with our insurance company affirming that the procedure would be covered under our plan.
Another set of braces were put on to align his jaw for surgery, with checkups every 3 weeks, and several meetings and appointments with the surgeon and his office. All was in place and surgery was scheduled for June 19. The surgery is a 6-8 hour surgery, cutting part of his lower jaw out, re-connecting it with metal plates. Cutting his cheek bones and moving them forward. All of this is done without facial cutting or scarring. The surgeon will preform the entire surgery thru the inside of Fraser's mouth.
We have health insurance and in April we were told that the surgery would be covered. Five days prior to our scheduled surgery, our insurance denied the coverage.
For the past 2 weeks we have been fighting with our insurance company but they denied coverage and any further appeals.
Having the surgery as soon as possible is important as Fraser has plans to start college on the 25th of August in California. The surgery requires 6 weeks of recovery so time is getting very short to get him healed before college starts.
Our goal is to raise the money for his surgery THIS WEEK!
The surgery will cost $45,000.
We are starting with a gift $25,000. from dear long time friends that have supported Keith since his volunteering days in Uganda.
This campaign is for the remaining $20,000 for the surgery.
We have faith that we can get this done with our community and that he will be fixed, healed and able to eat and gain weight as he starts college with all the other 18 year olds in the Fall as planned.
Thank you for your prayers and your support! Thank you for donating! Every dollar will put us closer to helping Fraser.
On our first visit to the orthodontist when Fraser was 7, we were told that he would most likely need jaw surgery once he had stopped growing to correct the severity of his underbite.
For the next 10 years, Fraser has been in and out of braces 3 times, worn multiple retainers and had more molds taken of his teeth than anyone I know! Two years ago, and thousands of out of pocket dollars later, we were advised to stop all orthodontist work because at this point we should just wait until he was fully grown, his bones were developed, and then proceed with the surgery.
Fraser has always been underweight and has had a hard time eating because of the misalignment of his jaws. I now know that it is because he has never been able to chew properly. When you can't breakdown the food in your mouth the way it should be, then your digestion is off, causing stomach pain and discomfort. Fraser has lived with a sore stomach pretty much his whole life which makes eating no fun! He is 6'2" and weighs 125lbs.
Fraser graduated a year early from High School to take a year off and get his jaw fixed and be healed for good. He is gifted in music and photography and has high aspirations of a future in the arts. His goals are to head to CA and attend Santa Monica College in the fall to build up his portfolio and get some undergraduate classes under his belt before applying to some of the country's best art and music schools.
Our goal for him this year here in DC, was to get this surgery finished and behind us so he could be off on his way and fly.
We found a great surgeon and orthodontist that work together here in Washington DC and started the prep work, with our insurance company affirming that the procedure would be covered under our plan.
Another set of braces were put on to align his jaw for surgery, with checkups every 3 weeks, and several meetings and appointments with the surgeon and his office. All was in place and surgery was scheduled for June 19. The surgery is a 6-8 hour surgery, cutting part of his lower jaw out, re-connecting it with metal plates. Cutting his cheek bones and moving them forward. All of this is done without facial cutting or scarring. The surgeon will preform the entire surgery thru the inside of Fraser's mouth.
We have health insurance and in April we were told that the surgery would be covered. Five days prior to our scheduled surgery, our insurance denied the coverage.
For the past 2 weeks we have been fighting with our insurance company but they denied coverage and any further appeals.
Having the surgery as soon as possible is important as Fraser has plans to start college on the 25th of August in California. The surgery requires 6 weeks of recovery so time is getting very short to get him healed before college starts.
Our goal is to raise the money for his surgery THIS WEEK!
The surgery will cost $45,000.
We are starting with a gift $25,000. from dear long time friends that have supported Keith since his volunteering days in Uganda.
This campaign is for the remaining $20,000 for the surgery.
We have faith that we can get this done with our community and that he will be fixed, healed and able to eat and gain weight as he starts college with all the other 18 year olds in the Fall as planned.
Thank you for your prayers and your support! Thank you for donating! Every dollar will put us closer to helping Fraser.
Organizer
Heidi Wright
Organizer
Washington D.C., DC