Please help me get my smile back !
Donation protected
My name is Aneudy Polanco and I am a 21 year old undergrad at Umass Amherst studying Sports Management.
On the night of June 2nd, I made the powerful decision to attend a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest in Providence, Rhode Island during the peak of the social movement this year. On the same night I vouched for the lives of those who have been and continue to be marginalized by society, my own life was put in danger.
That night, as I marched in a crowd of thousands of people, losing sight of my friends , I was struck in the mouth with a brick. Thankfully and unfortunately, my injuries were a busted lip and the loss of my 3 front teeth.
After I had been struck, I quickly rushed myself to the hospital, driving from Providence to Boston, still confused and shocked at what had just taken place. The next morning I had gotten stitches on my lips and a ton of confused dentists looking at my teeth. According to them,my teeth were completely damaged and would require a ton of work. In the course of 8 weeks since the protest, I visited several different dentists just to figure out what the next steps would be. In those visits, I had already taken up the $2,000 coverage amount that was available to me through my dental insurance for this year. After being sent to multiple dentists, I finally found someone who could help, but unfortunately the repair would cost me about $20,000. My heart dropped and as I turned around, I saw the worried look on my mother's face as she heard those numbers out loud. My mother, a hard working woman who cares after 4 kids, including myself, and I, could not afford this repair, not with the problems we already have, one of them being my student loans.
I remember feeling angry , filled with regret, thinking to myself how this could've been avoided if I had just gone to bed that night. But as I started to clear my head, I knew that I served a purpose.I knew that my voice mattered. I knew that I was needed there and that I was protesting for something bigger than myself. We are living in a time where we cannot afford to be silent when it comes to racial injustices. I know that my involvement with this movement was necessary and I will not let this small set back shrink my voice. I am a proud Afro-Latino, I am a proud activist, and I will continue to fight for the lives of my brothers and sisters.
With that being said, I make this page for anyone that would like to help me and my family with the cost of my repair. Anything will help - no donation is too small.
By even taking the time to read my story- you are truly appreciated. Please share my story and have a blessed day.
*DISCLAIMER* The photo attached shows my mouth the same night, in the emergency room with blood.
On the night of June 2nd, I made the powerful decision to attend a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest in Providence, Rhode Island during the peak of the social movement this year. On the same night I vouched for the lives of those who have been and continue to be marginalized by society, my own life was put in danger.
That night, as I marched in a crowd of thousands of people, losing sight of my friends , I was struck in the mouth with a brick. Thankfully and unfortunately, my injuries were a busted lip and the loss of my 3 front teeth.
After I had been struck, I quickly rushed myself to the hospital, driving from Providence to Boston, still confused and shocked at what had just taken place. The next morning I had gotten stitches on my lips and a ton of confused dentists looking at my teeth. According to them,my teeth were completely damaged and would require a ton of work. In the course of 8 weeks since the protest, I visited several different dentists just to figure out what the next steps would be. In those visits, I had already taken up the $2,000 coverage amount that was available to me through my dental insurance for this year. After being sent to multiple dentists, I finally found someone who could help, but unfortunately the repair would cost me about $20,000. My heart dropped and as I turned around, I saw the worried look on my mother's face as she heard those numbers out loud. My mother, a hard working woman who cares after 4 kids, including myself, and I, could not afford this repair, not with the problems we already have, one of them being my student loans.
I remember feeling angry , filled with regret, thinking to myself how this could've been avoided if I had just gone to bed that night. But as I started to clear my head, I knew that I served a purpose.I knew that my voice mattered. I knew that I was needed there and that I was protesting for something bigger than myself. We are living in a time where we cannot afford to be silent when it comes to racial injustices. I know that my involvement with this movement was necessary and I will not let this small set back shrink my voice. I am a proud Afro-Latino, I am a proud activist, and I will continue to fight for the lives of my brothers and sisters.
With that being said, I make this page for anyone that would like to help me and my family with the cost of my repair. Anything will help - no donation is too small.
By even taking the time to read my story- you are truly appreciated. Please share my story and have a blessed day.
*DISCLAIMER* The photo attached shows my mouth the same night, in the emergency room with blood.
Organizer
Aneudy Polanco
Organizer
Boston, MA
