Hello, I am David Rutan, Godson, to Sondra Seeger. I have known Sondra all my memorable life. She baby sat me beginning at age 3. I am now 60. She lives with us in LaCenter, Washington. Sondra's bottom teeth are falling out and her upper teeth are an old denture that must be remade to match new implants for all the lower teeth. We have explored many dentists and plans and each highly recommended the treatment before her now that are most suited for her longevity and current immediate needs. All the lower teeth are about to fall out and she has a very difficult time now eating. The treatment is complex to say the least.

Clear Choice has been selected to do the work in Vancouver, WA. After 2 consultations and other discussions by phone, they have graciously offered to do the work for 'cost' involving a replacement upper denture, extraction of all 8 lower teeth, and implants to replace them all. The work with be a full anesthetic and a day of surgery including removing existing infections. The number of specialists are many. They and other dentists have quoted the full cost at $30,000, while ClearChoice is doing this work for 50% off and at their 'cost'. Thank you ClearChoice!

Per Briana Peterson, Patient Education Coordinator at ClearChoice, sums it up nicely.. "People who have never struggled with dentures do not understand why it's not a good option for Sondra. I hear all the time. Patient's loved ones try to talk them out of treatment and tell them they aren't worth it or the money would be better spent on something else. But the truth is, Sondra (like most) is not a good candidate for dentures. She has lost so much bone that she just does have enough to hold a denture in place. Her only real option to eat semi-normally again is to have implants. Going without teeth or wearing ill-fitting dentures is [a] cause of Alzheimer's and dementia. Not to mention malnutrition and digestion issues. "

Sondra is 83 and her only source of income is Social Security, and has Medicare, however this specialized extensive dental work is not covered. (we are happy to explain more here if need be). ClearChoice has offered a 100% financing solution which Sondra is unable to pay for at $189.00/mo. She survives her husband who passed away 8 years ago. She has 4 children. None will help with making these payments nor reducing the amount financed. The son, who is an attorney downtown Portland, took Sondra's Thanksgiving meal and ran it through a blender 10 years ago for her to eat with a straw!! He has not answered the last email since last summer requesting financial help for his Mother. A daughter suggested to me on a recent phone call that her Mother should just "pull all her teeth and leave it at that!" She would not help financially. Another daughter suggested she get help by sending an internet "link" to her Mother via text. She would not help either. The last Daughter is not reachable and living off another family member and who is said to drink excessively. Less than $50/mo from each of them would suffice to make the monthly payments yet none of them are willing to even visit their Mother, let alone help fund her dental work! Nor is there an insurance solution.

This Gofundme request is to help pay the monthly payments and excess funding will go to pay down/off the loan. Very simple.

I view the dental work the same as Sondra, and the dental professionals. Its urgent, very much needed and will drastically improve her life by reducing or eliminating the extensive pain and discomfort she is experiencing, while also likely prolonging her life too. Her self image will also be impacted positively since she does not like to smile and show her deteriorating front teeth.

Any support is greatly appreciated by myself, Sondra, and her closest friends.

Sincerely,

Dave