Help Raven Purchase Ortho Residency Instruments
Donation protected
Hi family, friends and supporters,
It comes with great humbleness and gratitude that I write you all today. For those of you that do not know me, my name is Raven Douglas, and I am currently preparing to graduate from Dental School in Nashville, TN. Dental school is a 4-year commitment that comes with highs and lows and can be very expensive. Like many dental students, I will be in debt before I ever see a profit in the career path I’m choosing, but this is my dream!
As an child, I was captivated by the thought of “perfect teeth”. I spent immeasurable hours in my bathroom mirror, noting every imperfection each individual tooth had that ultimately resulted with my crowding. I would then transfer my observations to my personal diary in order to come up with all of the possible remarks the other students could use to chastise me. Growing up in Memphis, TN, it was imperative to know how to defend yourself verbally. Lunch time in middle school was devoted to eating and bad-mouthing each other. This was where my mirror preparation would come in handy. Before anyone else could bring up the crowding of my teeth, I would beat them to it. By turning each defaming session into a personal roast, I eliminated myself from bullying. However, this led to many years of insecurities until 2010 when I met my orthodontist. He changed my life! And this very experience led to my career choice to later become an Orthodontist.
In November of 2020, I was blessed to land a residency seat into Orthodontics; a less than 1% chance being an African American female. I will begin my journey to fulfill my dreams in June of 2021. However, like most educational programs, there are costs involved. Most, that I originally did not expect. And for those reasons, I find myself asking for your help. I was recently told that I will need to purchase a set of instruments prior to my first day of school that roughly cost’s $4500. I have saved a third of this cost, but with my licensure examination and senior OSCE’s coming up, I cannot find the time to work to make up the rest of these costs. If you choose to donate, your donation will not only help prepare me for residency, it will contribute to my future in the field of orthodontics.
The Why
As I prepare to move to St. Louis, Missouri from Nashville, TN, I will have several expenses I will need to address in a very limited amount of time to matriculate to Orthodontic Residency. I know the COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all, which is why I’ve battled for weeks even making this account.
The Ask
Often times, I have gone without or have had two-three jobs during my time in dental school to stay afloat. I have reached a point in “adult hood” that I feel as though I must handle whatever comes my way on my own. However, no one reaches their goals or dreams “alone”. I need your help to continue making my dreams a reality and this is the crucial time when I must ask for help. If you decide to give any amount, I’d like you to consider it an investment, rather than a donation. If you invest in me, I will continue to invest my time and efforts in influencing this generation and generations to come by providing educational tools and services to help our communities overcome oral healthcare disparities. Please help me raise $3,000 to purchase the instrumentation I will need to begin my Orthodontic residency program in June.
Thank you so much for your donation and time. It truly means the world to me. For those of you that have supported me and continue to support me, words can never express my appreciation.
Sincerely,
Raven Douglas
It comes with great humbleness and gratitude that I write you all today. For those of you that do not know me, my name is Raven Douglas, and I am currently preparing to graduate from Dental School in Nashville, TN. Dental school is a 4-year commitment that comes with highs and lows and can be very expensive. Like many dental students, I will be in debt before I ever see a profit in the career path I’m choosing, but this is my dream!
As an child, I was captivated by the thought of “perfect teeth”. I spent immeasurable hours in my bathroom mirror, noting every imperfection each individual tooth had that ultimately resulted with my crowding. I would then transfer my observations to my personal diary in order to come up with all of the possible remarks the other students could use to chastise me. Growing up in Memphis, TN, it was imperative to know how to defend yourself verbally. Lunch time in middle school was devoted to eating and bad-mouthing each other. This was where my mirror preparation would come in handy. Before anyone else could bring up the crowding of my teeth, I would beat them to it. By turning each defaming session into a personal roast, I eliminated myself from bullying. However, this led to many years of insecurities until 2010 when I met my orthodontist. He changed my life! And this very experience led to my career choice to later become an Orthodontist.
In November of 2020, I was blessed to land a residency seat into Orthodontics; a less than 1% chance being an African American female. I will begin my journey to fulfill my dreams in June of 2021. However, like most educational programs, there are costs involved. Most, that I originally did not expect. And for those reasons, I find myself asking for your help. I was recently told that I will need to purchase a set of instruments prior to my first day of school that roughly cost’s $4500. I have saved a third of this cost, but with my licensure examination and senior OSCE’s coming up, I cannot find the time to work to make up the rest of these costs. If you choose to donate, your donation will not only help prepare me for residency, it will contribute to my future in the field of orthodontics.
The Why
As I prepare to move to St. Louis, Missouri from Nashville, TN, I will have several expenses I will need to address in a very limited amount of time to matriculate to Orthodontic Residency. I know the COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all, which is why I’ve battled for weeks even making this account.
The Ask
Often times, I have gone without or have had two-three jobs during my time in dental school to stay afloat. I have reached a point in “adult hood” that I feel as though I must handle whatever comes my way on my own. However, no one reaches their goals or dreams “alone”. I need your help to continue making my dreams a reality and this is the crucial time when I must ask for help. If you decide to give any amount, I’d like you to consider it an investment, rather than a donation. If you invest in me, I will continue to invest my time and efforts in influencing this generation and generations to come by providing educational tools and services to help our communities overcome oral healthcare disparities. Please help me raise $3,000 to purchase the instrumentation I will need to begin my Orthodontic residency program in June.
Thank you so much for your donation and time. It truly means the world to me. For those of you that have supported me and continue to support me, words can never express my appreciation.
Sincerely,
Raven Douglas
Organizer
Raven Elaine Douglas
Organizer
Nashville, TN