Joy Andrade's Dental Surgery Needs
Donation protected
My name is Mark Casey and I’m seeking financial assistance for my beautiful niece, Joy Andrade, who is 19 years old. Over the past 21 months Joy has went through 75 dental appointments, endured 6 dental surgeries including two bone grafts, one of which was taken from her hip and two tissue grafts. She still has two additional surgeries and many more dental visits to go. I would asked you to read her story below that summarizes not only the pain she has endured during the primetime of her teenage years, but also the positive attitude she’s chosen to take in dealing with her situation. As you will read, she needs your generosity to assist her in getting permanent teeth and implants, which are not covered by her family's insurance company. Note that this is a teenage girl that’s now attending college to ironically become a dentist (due to her experiences), but currently doesn’t have six of her front teeth. We would appreciate any assistance you can provide her family so that she can eventually eat and live like a normal 19 year old. You would be assisting one of the most God-loving, caring and giving families I know.
Her story in her own words:
In 2012, it was decided that I would need maxillofacial jaw surgery to fix my class three malocclusion under bite that caused pain in my jaw joints. I had to have the maxillofacial jaw surgery in the summer after my junior year of high school. Little did I know this surgery would not only test my mental and physical strength, but also question my reliability in the dental system. The surgery seemed to go well. My surgeon said it took less time than he had originally thought it would take. I of course was swollen like a balloon and was wired shut for five weeks. One week after the surgery something had gone terribly wrong with my gums. I looked in the mirror and noticed that my gums had started to turn green and white. In a panic we called the surgeon; he told us to come to his office immediately. His worst fears were realized. When he saw me, there was no doubt that my gum and bone had lost blood supply and was dying off. I watched him cut away my gums exposing the roots of my front six teeth. I was petrified. Well, I sit here writing this with six less front teeth and a fistula that goes from the palette of my mouth through to my sinus cavity. I didn’t have enough bone or tissue to do implants. As a senior in high school you can imagine the mess this made for my final year of adolescent schooling. Since my initial surgery on June 11, 2013 I have had over seventy-five dental visits and six dental surgeries including two bone grafts, one of which came from my hip and two tissue grafts.
I have been asked how I keep such a good attitude and stay so strong throughout my whole ordeal. But the truth is that I am not strong and sometimes I don’t have the best attitude. I choose to try to look at the positives that have come from my unpleasant experiences. While going to so many different doctors I have now seen what a difference a good doctor that loves his job makes. They genuinely care for you and want to help. I wouldn’t be anywhere close to the person I am today without those doctors who have made an impression on me, and who have showed me sympathy, that is why I want to be a dentist.
As I look back on the last two years of my life, I am truly thankful for my struggles that I used to be so resentful toward. I have now become aware of the fact that life will never necessarily be easy, but that I cant let my struggles define who I become. I aspire to be a dentist.
I want to thank all the people who have supported me, sent me cards, brought me soup, and prayed for me. I can’t imagine having gone through all this without you guys. I am so blessed with the best people in my life. Any financial help would be greatly appreciated. God bless you and your family.
Her story in her own words:
In 2012, it was decided that I would need maxillofacial jaw surgery to fix my class three malocclusion under bite that caused pain in my jaw joints. I had to have the maxillofacial jaw surgery in the summer after my junior year of high school. Little did I know this surgery would not only test my mental and physical strength, but also question my reliability in the dental system. The surgery seemed to go well. My surgeon said it took less time than he had originally thought it would take. I of course was swollen like a balloon and was wired shut for five weeks. One week after the surgery something had gone terribly wrong with my gums. I looked in the mirror and noticed that my gums had started to turn green and white. In a panic we called the surgeon; he told us to come to his office immediately. His worst fears were realized. When he saw me, there was no doubt that my gum and bone had lost blood supply and was dying off. I watched him cut away my gums exposing the roots of my front six teeth. I was petrified. Well, I sit here writing this with six less front teeth and a fistula that goes from the palette of my mouth through to my sinus cavity. I didn’t have enough bone or tissue to do implants. As a senior in high school you can imagine the mess this made for my final year of adolescent schooling. Since my initial surgery on June 11, 2013 I have had over seventy-five dental visits and six dental surgeries including two bone grafts, one of which came from my hip and two tissue grafts.
I have been asked how I keep such a good attitude and stay so strong throughout my whole ordeal. But the truth is that I am not strong and sometimes I don’t have the best attitude. I choose to try to look at the positives that have come from my unpleasant experiences. While going to so many different doctors I have now seen what a difference a good doctor that loves his job makes. They genuinely care for you and want to help. I wouldn’t be anywhere close to the person I am today without those doctors who have made an impression on me, and who have showed me sympathy, that is why I want to be a dentist.
As I look back on the last two years of my life, I am truly thankful for my struggles that I used to be so resentful toward. I have now become aware of the fact that life will never necessarily be easy, but that I cant let my struggles define who I become. I aspire to be a dentist.
I want to thank all the people who have supported me, sent me cards, brought me soup, and prayed for me. I can’t imagine having gone through all this without you guys. I am so blessed with the best people in my life. Any financial help would be greatly appreciated. God bless you and your family.
Organizer
Mark Casey
Organizer
Leander, TX