Help Me Recover: Urgent Dental & Vision Care 4 a Fresh Start

Hi, my name is Marcelo, and I’m reaching out for help during a really tough time. Recently, I took a bad fall that crushed my glasses, leaving me with significant vision issues. On top of that, I’ve got a loose front tooth that’s now infected and causing me a lot of pain. Sadly, the only affordable option I’ve been given so far is to have it extracted, but it’s a front tooth, and I’m really hoping to avoid that if possible.

Life’s been throwing some hard challenges my way. My untreated ADHD in the past has made it difficult for me to keep steady employment, which has put a lot of pressure on my family. Right now, I’m a stay-at-home dad to my curious and independent 3 ½-year-old son, who keeps me on my toes every day. My wife works hard as a house cleaner to support us, and while I do my best to contribute, things have been really stressful as I haven’t been able to bring in income.

To make things even harder, my dad recently had his appendix rupture while Hurricane Helene was passing by. It took two days to detect the issue, and by the time they found it, he had to undergo emergency surgery this past Saturday. He’s still in a fragile state, recovering in the hospital, and we’re all really worried about him.

I’ve been applying to jobs, but it’s been tough. I’m not sure if it’s my age or my lack of formal education, but despite my experience in customer service, training, and technical support, I keep hitting roadblocks. I’m fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, which has been a great asset, but the rejections have been disheartening.

While caring for my son, I’m also working on building a nonprofit organization called Kultura Place Inc., which focuses on supporting the Hispanic, Latino, and American communities, starting with the growing Brazilian population in the U.S. Our mission is to provide young children with the resources they need to maintain their native language and culture, something that’s often overlooked for this age group. We want to fill that gap with educational and cultural programs.

For me, Kultura Place isn’t just about helping others—it’s about paying forward the help I’ve received in my own life. My goal is to build a self-sustaining organization that not only addresses immediate needs but creates lasting change in the communities we serve.

On the personal side, things have been tough as well. My wife’s family in Brazil is modest, and while my sister here helps when she can, she’s also taking care of my dad, who’s been deeply affected by my mom’s passing two years ago. Losing her to brain cancer after a short 45-day battle was a shock to all of us, but especially to my dad after more than 60 years of marriage. Now, with his appendix rupture and surgery, we’re facing another difficult time.

I’m doing everything I can to improve my mental health. I’ve been working with a psychologist and psychiatrist to manage my ADHD, and I’m getting stronger each day. My hope is to turn things around for both my family and the community I want to serve through Kultura Place.

However, with the immediate medical challenges I’m facing—replacing my glasses and getting proper dental care—I’ve reached a point where I need help. That’s why I’m asking for your support. Here’s how your contributions will be used:

Dental Care: I need a dental implant to save my front tooth. This is the best option to restore both the appearance and function of the tooth. The total cost can range from $3,000 to $6,700, depending on the complexity of the procedure.

Eyewear Replacement: I need to replace my prescription glasses, which were destroyed. Your support will help me get a new pair and return to my daily life without straining my vision.

Medical Expenses: Any remaining funds will go toward transportation and additional medical costs related to my dental care, vision, and my dad’s recovery.

I’ve tried to handle this on my own, but I’ve come to the point where I need to ask for help. Any contribution, no matter the amount, will make a huge difference in helping me get back on my feet and continue serving my community.

Thank you so much for your kindness and support.

Marcelo Silva

Kultura Place Inc.

https://www.kulturaplace.org (work in progress – being a househusband is no joke!)