Save Lydonna's Teeth and Smile

Hi my name is Lydonna.  I am raising money to pay for the recovery of my teeth and dental bills after a scooter accident.  Today I went to consult with an oral surgeon who said I need 2 immediate root canals and 3 teeth are on the watch list - one of which will be another definite root canal.  He also said my teeth may need to be wired to the bone as the bone the teeth are attach to is broken.  As well as fixing the cracked teeth I will also need orthodontic work to move the teeth back to where they were.   Before I tell you more about my injuries and fight with the insurance companies I'll tell you what happened.

On November 14, 2015 I was driving my scooter home from work.  I was on a 2 lane road traveling at about 40 to 45 mph.  A cyclist was headed the same direction as me - he was in the bike lane.  I remember thinking: "man it is cold tonight - I want to get home."  Then the cyclist for no reason at all turned left directly in front of me.  I remember screaming: "What are you doing?"  I may not have finished the sentence as I hit him and the scooter and I were launched into the air. 

My first impact was bam on the asphalt on my face.  Then the scooter and I were tumbling or rolling for 2 to 3 times.   I came to a stop face down and could still hear my scooter moving or scrapping on the ground I braced for it to hit me but it stopped.  I didn't have time to access what happend or what my injuries were as all I could think is that I have to get of out of the road before I get hit by a car.  

I jumped up and saw a van slowing down and pulling over but still inching along like they wanted to flee from me.  I was bleeding profusely from my face and was motioning for them to roll down their window.  I asked them to call an ambulance.  The couple got out of the van and she called 911.  I walked over to the side of the road and sat down on a guardrail post.  Everytime I moved my hands she sternly told me not to touch my face.

As I sat there the cyclist came over and sat down beside me and said he was sorry and that it was his fault.

I started to take my gloves and helmet off and the lady kept telling me not to touch my face.  My mouth was filling with blood and I could'nt talk anymore.   When the ambulance arrived and the EMT tried to get me to talk.  He asked me to spit out the blood but it was not just blood it was tissue from inside my mouth and when I tried to spit it out it was still attached.  It was a horrifying moment. 

They took me to Cottage Emergency and called back in the plastic surgeon who had just gone home.  I had a 5 cm by 1 cm gash from the middle of my lip to my right nostril.  He was not sure that all of the tissue would survive and I had 50 stitches to my face and then more to the inside of my mouth.  Every one said he did an amazing job.

I had road rash from the bridge of my nose to below my chin.  One tooth broken and cracked and the four front teeth pushed back, up, and sideways.  My knees were totally road rash.  And the days following the accident I would discover that everything everywhere was stiff and hurt.  I can only eat soft foods and I've lost 7lbs. 

All in all I am very fortunate and blessed to be here to tell the tale.  I thank all of my angels who have helped me home after the accident and helped me with grocery shopping, and food I can eat, driving me to doctors and dentist.  For Terry's flowers, Brenda's humor (the t-shirt I'm wearing in the photo - says: I do my own stunts), and Sheryls visit. 

So tomorrow I get two of the root canals.  I'm afraid to hear about his consultation with my dentist about the broken bone.  I think they want me to go to a specialist about it.  It sounds awful to have my teeth wired to the bone.  This will take about 6 months to heal and then maybe I can start with and Orthodontist to get my bite and my teeth back where they should be.  Sometimes just standing or walking or doing nothing my bottom teeth get tangled with my top teeth and its very painful.  All of this will be a long time in the healing stage.

Below are photos of what I was wearing at the time of the crash.This photo shows my burgundy turtleneck, black leggings, and black bra, that were all cut off of me in the emergency room.  Also I was wearing a white active jacket and scarf.  My thin black leather gloves saved my hands, my boots saved my feet (two weeks earlier I was wearing thick flip flops to commute), my helmet (next time full face), my thick Burton skicoat, my googles, my handbag is broken, my shopping bag shredded.  The only thing unscathed was my scarf - not even a blood stain.I rolled you can see the scrape marks
These saved my hands
These saved my feet.
Lots of blood

The cover photo shows me and my totaled scooter.  What you can't see is the stiches still in my face between my lip and nose, my fat swollen chapped lips, the stitches still in my mouth, and my broken and messed up teeth. 

So tell your daughters, sisters, mothers, and all those you love to wear the proper gear on their scooters, motorcycles, and bikes.  And if they don't have it - buy it for them!  I highly recommend a full face helmet.  The only reason I can walk and put on shoes right now is that I had on my boots - the one photo dosen't show the extent of the damage to my boots.  And check and double check your insurance policies to see what they will cover. 

So far in my case the insurance company says they will pay for part of my scooter and maybe my helmet.  For my medical copays and deductible they say no.  For my dental they say no.  Why?  Because the cyclist who caused the accident and my pain and suffering was not a motorized vehicle.  That is why I am asking for your help.  I appreciate your well wishes and prayers.  I appreciate if you can help me to restore my smile.

You have to have some humor in all of this so my new favorite song is; Scar Tissue from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and my Christmas Song of choice is: All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.

Bless You and Hug Those You Love Today!