PLEASE HELP ME GET MY SMILE BACK!

Please help me get my SMILE back for Christmas!

After years of waiting and months of fighting insurance companies, I FINALLY got approval to have an innovative facial reconstructive surgery for the left side of my face. (My face is paralyzed due to damage that occurred from a brain tumor and its removal in 2017.) This surgery was not developed when I had my surgery in 2017, and the highly-rated surgeon who will perform it is new to Arizona.

The surgery includes replacing the weight in my eyelid so my eye will close properly and prevent further damage to my eyesight; grafting a tendon from my leg into my cheek muscle to suspend my cheek and lip. This will help to prevent the accidental biting of my inner cheeks and lips when eating, help stop the pulling of the muscles that are creating a crossbite, and prevent further damage to my teeth (I've had to have four crowns installed because of the damage to my teeth since the paralyzation), and hopefully allow me to sleep without taping and/or bracing my nostril open! The tendon will be attached to my lips and to my jaw. If successful, it will allow me to form "somewhat of a smile" when I clench my jaw. It will require therapy to learn how to control the movement, but I hope to be able to have a full SMILE in 2025!

I will need to have the surgery IMMEDIATELY as after the end of the year it will not be covered. The co-pays, private pay, and personal expenses needed for the surgery and aftercare are more than I have, so I am asking for your generosity and assistance in covering the additional expenses not covered by the insurance. If you are able to donate, I would be ever grateful.

Any amount will help. If you cannot donate, I understand. I appreciate your kind wishes, goodwill, and prayers. Please pass this fundraiser on to your contacts so I might reach my goal to get my smile back! Thank you so very much! Happy Holidays!