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News From AmeriCares Free ClinicsHow We Help: One Patient's StoryDear AmeriCares, I am writing this letter on behalf of my experience with the clinic. AmeriCares is run by angels here on earth. I suppose the only way for you to understand my gratitude is for you to know my story. I was on state insurance when I was a little girl. I went to an orthodontist who said that I needed braces very badly and that I needed a palate widener to extend my upper jaw because of the size difference. Well, the state had refused to pay for the necessary procedures. I was lucky enough that the doctor had done the work pro bono for me. Unfortunately, he had passed away before the braces were to come off. I called my office to receive my file and there wasn't one. OR, if there was, it was lost forever. By this point I was around 13 years old. My mother and I had visited every doctor and no one would remove the braces because I didn't have any paperwork. After that, the state had written to my mother stating that she "didn't comply with the application process" and therefore, we were denied insurance. Well, I was in excruciating pain. I couldn't even brush my teeth because my gums were so sensitive they would bleed. Having all that metal in my mouth wasn't healthy at all. I applied myself for state insurance and I got accepted. I had one tooth removed and was told I had gingivitis and I should think of getting all the metal removed. Well, I had a few more teeth removed, and then you guessed it, the state dropped my insurance. So a few more years went by with nothing being done. Now I was 21 years old and pregnant. I applied again for insurance and was accepted. Once my daughter was born, I found out the insurance only covered her and not me. I asked for a hearing and the state still didn't give me insurance. My husband and I weren't married at the time, but because we lived together the state said they counted him as head of household. They said $400.00 a month is too good of an income to be on state insurance. I couldn't work; I stayed home with our daughter. As you can probably imagine, at this point I had given up all hope of ever smiling again. I had learned to breathe very slowly in the winter time so I don't get cold air on exposed nerves. My teeth were literally falling apart. The infections were so bad. I would cry myself to sleep every night. It was then that I was told about AmeriCares. I didn't get my hopes up. Every time it would seem that I would get help a door was slammed in my face. Well, I was wrong this time. She told me about the mobile clinic that they have. And it goes to Brookfield, which is about 20 minutes from my house. I was crying over the phone to her begging for help. The pain made it so I couldn't even see straight. She promised to be there for me. And set me up with an appointment at the clinic. They were nothing but kind and understanding. All the doctors there are wonderful. They didn't turn me away because I had no paperwork or no insurance. I applied for the financial help, and I got approved to pay a $5.00 co-pay! I almost fainted I was so shocked. I cried all the way home. The happiest tears of my life. I am now 23 years old with a beautiful 18 month old daughter, a husband who is my best friend, and 8 teeth. That's right, 8 teeth. I have been having surgeries for 2 ½ months and all the rotten, broken and infected teeth are gone!! And on my next visit, they are going to take out the last two remaining metal bands. By the end of October, I will have my partials. And I will have a beautiful smile. The AmeriCares clinic has saved my life. I have never seen such dedication or kindness from anyone as I have with the volunteers of this amazing and truly remarkable clinic.
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