A Milestone Made Possible by Community

Over the past few months, I’ve been quietly working toward something that has felt out of reach for most of my adult life: getting my teeth repaired. After decades of chronic pain, crowding, and the functional limitations that come with it, I finally began a fundraiser to help cover the cost of braces and the dental work required before they can be placed.

Thanks to the generosity of friends, colleagues, and community, I’ve raised enough to officially begin treatment. On Tuesday, April 14th, I’ll have the top braces placed. After that, I’ll be referred to a dentist to remove four lower teeth so there’s room for alignment, and once they’ve healed, I’ll receive the bottom braces. The full process is expected to take about two years.

With the support raised so far, I’m also able to set up a manageable payment plan for the remaining balance — something that felt impossible before this.

I’m sharing this here because the model is rooted in lived experience, and this is part of mine: navigating scarcity, receiving support, and allowing myself to move toward repair. I’m deeply grateful, relieved, and hopeful. For the first time, this isn’t a distant dream. It’s happening.

If you’d like to read more or share the fundraiser, you can find it here: https://fnd.us/a2gXY7?ref=sh_eEll5d