I'm a crip poet & writer and freelance editor and don't have medical or dental insurance.  I usually work as a sensitivity reader, editor and work at various other gigs but since the pandemic started gigs have been very slow. In July,  my jaw and the left side of my mouth became swollen, and I was very much in pain and I couldn't ignore it anymore. 

I had been in pain for a while but had been ignoring it and taking OTC pain relievers and thought it was just a migraine.  But it became unbearable and had to go to for an emergency visit to a dentist who said I had a severe infection on my jaw, needed a molar extraction, another tooth needed to be pulled and had several cavities that were causing pain that I had also been ignoring for years. She put me on a round of antibiotics and painkillers and said I needed surgery, very soon. I have it scheduled for later in August. Even though I am very afraid of visiting a doctor during this time of COVID, especially in the area where I live and as I am high risk and my family is considered high risk and we are keeping ourselves in high isolation, I am more afraid of staying with this pain for longer than I have to.
expenses: visit, extractions, cavities,  full x-rays, anesthesia +

Even at home preventative care is not enough for dental care and for those living in poverty or on the line between working poor and poor, dental care is often the last thing on our minds-it's a luxury that is often reserved only for the rich. 

 I am asking for any donations that you can contribute, that you only do what you can and greatly appreciate any donations or shares!