J. Neal - All On 4 Dental Implants
Donation protected
My name is Jarvis Neal. I was born with Ectodermal Dysplasia. This is a rare genetic disease that creates a number of genetic disorders. Unfortunately, my symptoms include the inability to sweat, extremely dry skin, thin hair, and an inability to grow teeth. Due to the lack of teeth present, the procedure needed to be done would be what is termed "All-on-4". These are full-arch fixed implant bridges supported by four to six dental implants. Since the implants are made of titanium, they have the ability to fuse to living bone and function as part of it. I'll also require bone grafting due to insufficient jaw bone. Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that uses transplanted bone to repair/rebuild diseased or damaged bones. The entire procedural process will cost $43,000. With that being stated, there’s a refusal to let this stress me out or prohibit me from chasing my dreams.
Growing up, I didn’t have an abundance of funds. My sister and I grew up with my great-grandmother. We didn’t have a lot, but she always found a way to make ends meet which I’ll forever be grateful for. My mother passed when I was the age of 18 months. I never knew who my father was. These two harsh realities have been an emotional battle for me. Dealing with the absence of a mother and father is truly difficult. However, my family has filled the hole that their absences have created. My family is my everything. They’ve inspired me to be the best at anything and everything. Whether it was music or just life, they’ve truly pushed me and molded into who I am today.
I am an aspiring Music Producer/Engineer. I graduated from Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Despite the physical setbacks, I’ve been able to be very active in my career. During my time at Dillard, I collaborated with many programs in the Performing Arts. I’ve been Music Director for four Musical Theatre productions. Those include Fame Jr., The Color Purple: The Musical, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, and The Bodyguard: The Musical. I was the pianist in Dillard’s Jazz Band and managed to be lead pianist in The Bodyguard: The Musical and Aida. In the fall of 2020, I will be attending Full Sail University where I will be studying for a Bachelor’s Degree in Recording Arts. Thankfully, I was granted the Pathway Scholarship, a scholarship that pays for full tuition. I often perform often locally also. I’ve had the blessing to perform at venues such as Signature Grand and Bayfront Park and was the main entertainer for the National Black Caucus of State Legislators Annual Conference in Fort Lauderdale. Frequently, I am entertainment for Blanco y Blanco Arts and I also contribute my musicality to Springfield Missionary Baptist Church each Sunday.
I’ve been able to avoid the inevitable reality of dental implants, the most obvious symptom of the ones I suffer from. A procedure as expensive as this is just unimaginable for someone who grew up not being blessed financially. However, I understand in order to receive the help I need, I can’t be afraid to ask for it. So this is the beginning of my story.
Growing up, I didn’t have an abundance of funds. My sister and I grew up with my great-grandmother. We didn’t have a lot, but she always found a way to make ends meet which I’ll forever be grateful for. My mother passed when I was the age of 18 months. I never knew who my father was. These two harsh realities have been an emotional battle for me. Dealing with the absence of a mother and father is truly difficult. However, my family has filled the hole that their absences have created. My family is my everything. They’ve inspired me to be the best at anything and everything. Whether it was music or just life, they’ve truly pushed me and molded into who I am today.
I am an aspiring Music Producer/Engineer. I graduated from Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Despite the physical setbacks, I’ve been able to be very active in my career. During my time at Dillard, I collaborated with many programs in the Performing Arts. I’ve been Music Director for four Musical Theatre productions. Those include Fame Jr., The Color Purple: The Musical, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, and The Bodyguard: The Musical. I was the pianist in Dillard’s Jazz Band and managed to be lead pianist in The Bodyguard: The Musical and Aida. In the fall of 2020, I will be attending Full Sail University where I will be studying for a Bachelor’s Degree in Recording Arts. Thankfully, I was granted the Pathway Scholarship, a scholarship that pays for full tuition. I often perform often locally also. I’ve had the blessing to perform at venues such as Signature Grand and Bayfront Park and was the main entertainer for the National Black Caucus of State Legislators Annual Conference in Fort Lauderdale. Frequently, I am entertainment for Blanco y Blanco Arts and I also contribute my musicality to Springfield Missionary Baptist Church each Sunday.
I’ve been able to avoid the inevitable reality of dental implants, the most obvious symptom of the ones I suffer from. A procedure as expensive as this is just unimaginable for someone who grew up not being blessed financially. However, I understand in order to receive the help I need, I can’t be afraid to ask for it. So this is the beginning of my story.
Co-organizers (2)
Jarvis Neal
Organizer
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Simon Berdugo
Co-organizer