My name is Teresa Sitler, I teach at LOA and I am attending grad school. 30 years ago, I had a brain tumor that partially paralyzed the right side of my face. I have a crooked smile, my eye already has a titanium weight to help it close, and I have had the corners of my right eye stitched together. I am also mostly deaf in my right ear. But I have always accepted that this was my future. I have always hated pictures, despised mirrors, and prayed every day that there would be some medical advance that would help me regain some movement.

Well, through a series of unbelievable events and a little help with AI, I recently discovered that there is now a facial reanimation surgery done right in Atlanta at Emory University. I was in complete shock and thought, why not meet with them and see what they have to say! And what I found out is truly a medical breakthrough: there is now a surgery that can help replace what I have been missing for 30 years! This is not just cosmetic; this is medically the best option to prevent vision loss due to my eye not closing, in addition to many other medical benefits.

I am not going to lie, my family has had a tough year and had to deplete our savings due to many unexpected things that have occurred. I am not saying that others are not going through difficult times; I know that we all have things in our lives that create difficult times, but I am hoping and praying that some will feel led to help me fund my portion of the medical costs so I can proceed with my surgery.

I know some may think that if I can’t pay for it, then I should not have it, but please put yourself in my position and if this opportunity was available to you, would you try?

I don’t ask for help, so this is so very hard for me, but I am willing to swallow my pride right now and put it all out there.

If you cannot contribute, I understand, just please send up a prayer for me!

I appreciate any help! The funds will be used for deductible, co-pay, and rehab.

Thanks-

Teresa