Save Rachel's Smile
Donation protected
"It's not the first show for me, but it is for someone watching."
Rachel goes on to say, in a post on Instagram referencing a conversation she had with a friend, "If I can bring a little sunshine on a rainy day, add a little magic to the mundane, or just bring smile to the face of someone who needed one, I'm doing my part to give."
Anyone who knows Rachel Jacobucci understands this sentiment as we have all seen her infectious smile or heard her ridiculous (admit it, it is) laugh and found it nearly impossible not to join in.
This is why her accident in January of this year, while on contract in Japan, was so devastating. Slipping on a sheet of black ice and falling forward and uphill, hitting the ground with enough force to knock out her four front teeth and a significant portion of her upper jaw.
Because of the severity of her injuries, which have already included a 7-hour surgery to graft bone from her bottom jaw to the top, and forthcoming extensive surgeries still required, the upcoming costs will top $20,000, not including the extra costs to travel to have them done. These surgeries will also severely limit her ability to perform during the recovery periods.
Dancing and performing have been a major part of Rachel's life since she was only 4 when she started in ballet and tap classes. She entered the Governors school for the arts in High school which paired academic work for half the day with dance training for the other half.
College brought her to Butler University where she danced while she obtained a degree in English Literature.
Later she took contract work where she danced and performed – among numerous others – in theme parks , with illusionist Rob Lake, Tokyo Disney and on Holland American Cruise Lines, which brought her all over the world, including to her first time visiting her current home, Ketchikan Alaska.
Rachel, in true form, did not lay the burden of her injuries on her friends. Until recently I was not aware of the severity of the injuries, nor the cost associated.
For instance, only recently has she begun to let us know that the time frame for repairing the upper teeth - before the grafted bone will begin to degenerate - is roughly the end of this year or early next year. Without the implants (or natural teeth), the bone in the upper jaw will begin to disintegrate and be even harder to repair later. The rate varies, but is faster right after the tooth extraction, and would continue throughout the life of the remaining bone.
This means that without these surgeries, we will all lose Rachel's smile.
Because I know that it’s something that Rachel likely wouldn't do for herself, I talked with her and got her permission to create this GoFundMe to help fund the next stages of rebuilding and maintaining her smile.
Rachel goes on to say, in a post on Instagram referencing a conversation she had with a friend, "If I can bring a little sunshine on a rainy day, add a little magic to the mundane, or just bring smile to the face of someone who needed one, I'm doing my part to give."
Anyone who knows Rachel Jacobucci understands this sentiment as we have all seen her infectious smile or heard her ridiculous (admit it, it is) laugh and found it nearly impossible not to join in.
This is why her accident in January of this year, while on contract in Japan, was so devastating. Slipping on a sheet of black ice and falling forward and uphill, hitting the ground with enough force to knock out her four front teeth and a significant portion of her upper jaw.
Because of the severity of her injuries, which have already included a 7-hour surgery to graft bone from her bottom jaw to the top, and forthcoming extensive surgeries still required, the upcoming costs will top $20,000, not including the extra costs to travel to have them done. These surgeries will also severely limit her ability to perform during the recovery periods.
Dancing and performing have been a major part of Rachel's life since she was only 4 when she started in ballet and tap classes. She entered the Governors school for the arts in High school which paired academic work for half the day with dance training for the other half.
College brought her to Butler University where she danced while she obtained a degree in English Literature.
Later she took contract work where she danced and performed – among numerous others – in theme parks , with illusionist Rob Lake, Tokyo Disney and on Holland American Cruise Lines, which brought her all over the world, including to her first time visiting her current home, Ketchikan Alaska.
Rachel, in true form, did not lay the burden of her injuries on her friends. Until recently I was not aware of the severity of the injuries, nor the cost associated.
For instance, only recently has she begun to let us know that the time frame for repairing the upper teeth - before the grafted bone will begin to degenerate - is roughly the end of this year or early next year. Without the implants (or natural teeth), the bone in the upper jaw will begin to disintegrate and be even harder to repair later. The rate varies, but is faster right after the tooth extraction, and would continue throughout the life of the remaining bone.
This means that without these surgeries, we will all lose Rachel's smile.
Because I know that it’s something that Rachel likely wouldn't do for herself, I talked with her and got her permission to create this GoFundMe to help fund the next stages of rebuilding and maintaining her smile.
Organizer and beneficiary
Ty Rettke
Organizer
Ketchikan, AK
Rachel Jacobucci
Beneficiary