Hi. My name is Katie Rouse. My teeth have been very bad since I can remember. When I was twelve, my mother brought me to the dentist for the first time. I had four cavities filled. I was covered under medicaid and I also received retainers around that time. I chipped a tooth and had it fixed a couple times and we talked about braces, but my dentist said my teeth were so soft they would be afraid of them breaking. They also noticed at this point that my teeth were rotting from the inside out and perscribed me extra floride tooth paste which would slow down the procces. My mother than took me off of the medicaid before I was 18 so that she could enroll her self in a program that would allow her to receive 5,000 dollars to help her buy a house when I turned 18. She had no other isurance coverage for me, only for herself. My father only paid 64 dollars a week in child support so I saw no help from him either. I didn't have insurance until I could get a full time job and afford it on my own. I resented my mother for a long time because of her decision. I felt it was unfair and cruel to let me suffer. I have forgiven her now and she has appoligized and wishes she could help. When I was 19 my teeth were so bad that I couldn't eat much and I was taking about 32 hundred mg of ibuprofen a day. This went on for about a month, but I started running high fevers and developed numorous infections in my gums. My regular dentist couldn't see me, so I called an oral surgeon in my area. He got me right in and schedualed an appt. immediatly. I had 6 teeth pulled by him, and 2 years later I developed an absess at the root of my tooth and had that one removed as well. My job situation changed and my boyfriend bought a house. I pay him rent to help him pay the mortgage, but I don't make enough money to get insurance. I have tried looking for other jobs, but we only have one vehicle so our hours have to be the same. He has a decent job and makes enough money to make ends meet. Right now my money buys us groceries, pays for gas and small bills. I also pay him 300 a month towards the 1000.00 dollar house payment. I've applied for loans, but my credit is very poor. I made stupid decisions when I was younger and my credit now suffers for them. My father and I have mended our relationship, and he has since offered to help, but he was diagnosed with oral cancer a year ago and had 80% of his tounge removed. He can no longer work because he suffers from severe seizures since his radiation. He lives on 1150.00 dollars a month in social security. The only way he could help is to take out a loan, but since he doesn't work he cannot get approved. I can't bring myself to take about four of his paychecks even though he would give anyone the shirt off his back. I'm getting off track now, and I appologize. I really just need to catch a break. I don't have one single photo of myself smiling with my mouth open. Not in school pictures or anything. My confidence is so low. I can't even eat some of the healthy foods that I love. I have tried dieting, but my teeth are so brken and soft that I can't bite into carrots, celery, granola bars. Also, a lot of my teeth are broken to the point where my nerves are exposed and even biting into an apple irritates them. I can barely even brush my own teeth. I feel disgusting, and I can't even beleive that I found a man who loves me the way I am. He wants to help, but we would have to be married for his insurance to cover me and that isn't an option right now. Even with insurance the out of pocket cost is rediculous. My biggest wish is to be able to laugh and smile with my friends and family without being so sad about myself. I want to go my high shool reunions with out the same teeth they remember me with. I want to feel well. I want to be healthy, and I don't want to live on Ibuprofen anymore. It mean the world to me to be able open my mouth and show the world a beautiful healthy smile. I pray to God everynight for a miracle, because that is exactly what I feel like it will take for me to afford the extractions and the dentures that I need. I'm only 24 years old, but I don't want to live another day with a sore, unhealthy, unaatractive mouth. My friends know me as a happy funny quick-witted person, but they don't see the tears behind my jokes. I don't want be sad anymore. istead of hiding my sorrow, I want to share my joy. So please help me put a bright ,shinning, healthy smile on my face that I can show to the world.
You can E-mail me at K_A_Rouse@hotmail.com or find me on myspace at www.myspace.com/katie_anna
Thank you so much for any suggestions or help that you can offer.
