Help Free Smile!

Olivia Plunkett is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

The Abridged Story:

In 2005, Free was pulled over by the Milwaukee Police Department, handcuffed, detained, and then intentionally dropped out of a police car, hands still cuffed, to fall face down on the pavement. This instance of police brutality left Free with a broken jaw, a mouth full of shattered teeth, and two teeth knocked out entirely, not to mention extreme emotional trauma. His jaw was wired shut to heal while he sat in jail. Some teeth were able to be "repaired" through reconstruction, bonding and crowns. Over the past 16 years however, this "repair" has deteriorated and the 2 missing teeth have caused Free significant, negative emotional impacts.

To this day, Free is incredibly insecure about his missing teeth. He has changed his entire smile to keep people from being able to as easily notice the large gap in his bottom row of teeth. Free believes that his missing teeth keep him from pursuing his career. Additionally, living in Vermont as a Black man is full of oppression. Free's missing teeth compound the stereotypes and racism he experiences on a daily basis.

What I'm Asking For:

I believe asking for help is one of the hardest and most fulfilling things a person can learn to do. Free's missing teeth are not life threatening by any means, but they are absolutely life limiting. The gap in Free's smile keeps him from connecting with others in basic every day ways, to complex life-sustaining ways. The violence Free faced as a 19-year-old continues to violate his humanity. It impedes his ability to show up as his full self with his full shine and in his full truth. I believe this is something worth asking for help to remedy.

Why He Can't Use Insurance:

Free and his daughter are on VT State Medicaid and it does not cover anything considered "cosmetic". While the impacts of Free's missing teeth go far beyond cosmetic, the healthcare system disagrees. Each implant costs on average, $3000. While I know $6000 is an enormous amount, we are looking for any help at all.

When:

Free's 37th birthday is October 20th. I would love to be able to surprise him with funds to go directly towards his implants. Please consider donating and help Free smile, show up, and live life to his fullest potential.