Saving Mom's smile

My mom was brutally injured and almost died last week from wounds consistent with a fourth degree sexual assault. One agonizing week later, police are still investigating the case but so far no answers and no suspect.

Last Sunday, I wrote to you on the NEA Report Facebook page that I would be taking care of my family during an unimaginable tragedy. At about 1:30 PM Sunday, September 16, my mom was found with severe injuries in her home off of Patrick Street in north Jonesboro. She had lost a great deal of blood, had black eyes, three broken teeth, a broken jaw in three places, a huge gash in her head, and bruising on the back and front of her hands and arms. She was almost dead.

From Sunday to Wednesday, I could not look at my mom without crying. She stopped breathing once. Her face was destroyed. Her lip was hanging loose and her jaw was dangling. It has since been wired shut. Despite this living hell, NEA Baptist hospital has given her a second chance at life.

My mom was and is very proud of her smile. She just had dental work done which she had financed and now, everything must be fixed again. We also do not know how the scars and other injuries will heal on her face. Additional cosmetic corrections may be needed there as well.

Mom looked at me and tried to tell me how much the cost, in thousands, would be for each tooth. She was so afraid of not being able to pay for this. I want to surprise her and tell her that we got it done for her.

Anything you can donate will help. Thank you.

Stan Morris