Family Tries to Raise $ for Jaw Surgery to Correct Deformity

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#1 Post by **bbsadmin** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 5:59 pm

I came across this story on the web today and wanted to post it here. If any individuals or dental offices want to contribute to this teenager's dental surgery fund, it would be a nice holiday gesture:

http://stcharlesjournal.stltoday.com/li ... _1.ii1.txt

Family raises money for daughter's facial surgery

By Raymond Castile
Thursday, November 29, 2007 4:34 PM CST

Jalyn Jones might be in pain, but she's not sure.

Jones, 19, was born with hemifacial microsomia, a deformity in which the lower half of one side of the face does not fully develop. Doctors tell her she should be in pain. Maybe she is. After five surgeries, the St. Charles teen said she has built such a high tolerance for pain that it just feels normal.

She was still a baby when surgeons closed a hole on the right side of her face and reconstructed her ear. At 5 years old, she developed severe sinus problems. Jones vomited every morning for nine years and suffered constant headaches.At age 14, doctors broke her malformed jaw in three places and restructured the roof of her mouth. The surgery relieved the sinus trouble, but the headaches persist.

Hemifacial microsomia is the second most common facial birth defect after cleft lips and palates.

Jones wears braces to stabilize her jaw and palate. Without them, the roof of her mouth eventually would collapse. Externally, Jones' mouth appears twisted to the right. The right side of her jawbone does not extend far enough to join her skull. Instead of a ball joint, the bone ends in a stump.

"Doctors don't know how she can talk," said her mother, Lana Jones, 48.

Talking is one of Jalyn Jones' favorite activities. A freshman at St. Charles Community College, she is studying communications to pursue a radio career.

"I am a music freak," Jalyn said. "To be a DJ on the radio talking about music would be awesome."

Jalyn's current gig is cashiering at Schnucks. She used to spend her money hanging with friends at the mall. But now she must save every penny.

Her family is struggling to raise $30,000 by Dec. 27, the day before Jalyn is scheduled to have what she hopes will be her final jaw surgery.

"It's been six years of braces and surgery, going from doctor to doctor. I want it to be over," Jalyn said.

The Jones family consulted four St. Louis area facial specialists who conducted test procedures before deciding they could not perform the operation Jalyn needs to end her headaches and stabilize her jaw. All four recommended the family seek Dr. Larry Wolford, an internationally recognized SPAM in facial surgery.

Wolford agreed to perform the operation, but there were obstacles. Wolford is located in Dallas, and the cash-strapped family could not afford the travel and lodging expenses. More importantly, the family's insurance would not cover Wolford's $29,000 fee. The doctor told the family he required payment 24 hours in advance or the surgery would not proceed. Add to that a $1,000 co-payment for the hospital stay and a separate out-of-network charge for the anesthesia.

Delaying the surgery is not an option. The family said Jalyn's dentist insists her braces must come off as soon as possible or her teeth will be ruined. But if she removes the braces before the surgery, her mouth could collapse.

"The idea that the roof of my mouth could cave in is really scary," Jalyn said.

Lana Jones carries her daughter on her insurance through her job as a clerk for Magellan Behavioral Health Services. Her insurance also covers her younger daughter, Amanda Jones, 15, a freshman at St. Charles West High School. Lana's husband, Fred Jones, 44, is a warehouse forklift driver. He does not have health insurance.

Jalyn's situation is not the only health crisis to hit the Jones family recently. Amanda had surgery last December to install a prosthetic in her left kneecap after twice dislocating the joint. Lana said she is still paying the bills from that surgery.

On dentist's orders, Fred had all his teeth removed last year. The family had no insurance to cover the $3,000 bill.

"We are maxed out," Lana said. "We don't want to file for bankruptcy. We pay all our bills, but we do it slowly."

Late payments have damaged the family's credit, leading banks to turn them down on a loan to pay for Jalyn's jaw surgery. Lana's parents have offered to cosign if necessary.

But the family is hoping to raise the money without a bank loan. They already have collected about $13,000 through a series of fundraisers. Friends and coworkers have pitched in to help organize bake sales, bowling nights, quilt raffles and other events.

Lana said she has found checks lying on her desk at work.

"It surprises you, the generosity of people you don't even know," she said.

Being in need does not stop the family from helping others. Lana, Fred and Jalyn volunteer at the OASIS Food Pantry in St. Charles. Fred picks up and delivers food donations. Lana is on the board of directors. Jalyn helps any way she can. But in accordance with OASIS rules governing volunteers, the Jones family cannot utilize the charity's services. They receive no food or assistance in return for their efforts.

Terry Rodewald, OASIS executive director, called the Joneses "very generous and loving" with "good family values."

"But like a lot of people, they have limited means," Rodewald said. "They both work, but their combined income is not enough to cover unexpected bills. But instead of just asking people for money, they are being enterprising and coming up with fundraising events that are entertaining and well organized."

The next fundraiser is a trivia game scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday at Monroe Elementary School, located at 2670 Zumbehl Road in St. Charles. Admission costs $15 per person, or $120 for an eight-person table.

A bunco dice game fundraiser is scheduled to run 1-5 p.m. Dec. 9 at Monroe Elementary. The event will include a 50-50 raffle and silent auction. Tickets cost $12 per person.

All donations and proceeds go to the Jalyn Lee Jones Medical Fund at Enterprise Bank and Trust Fund, 1001 First Capitol Drive, St Charles, MO 63301 or call for more information: Evelyn Clark at 636-947-7673.

#2 Post by **Future** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 6:52 pm

Their prayers should be answered, especially during this time of the year. Most people are in the giving mood.

#3 Post by **bbsadmin** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 9:05 pm

A member PM'd me a few moments ago suggesting that the readers of ArchWired.com "adopt" this family and contribute to their cause. I think this is a lovely idea. However, I don't want anyone to feel pressured to contribute money -- something like this is strictly voluntary and is a very personal choice.

It was suggested that I set up some sort of account that you guys could all contribute to, such as a PayPal account. I'm not sure if I'm totally comfortable being in the middle of what could turn out to be hundreds of dollars in contributions to this family. I have to think it over.

If you guys like the idea of adopting this cause for the holidays, let me know how you think we should handle it. It would be a little more effort, but perhaps better, if everyone who wants to participate just writes a check for whatever amount they feel comfortable giving, and send it to the address at the girl's bank fund. She'd know it was from "us" if you put "from an ArchWired.com reader" in the note section at the bottom of the check.

Let's have some input on the subject. I'm totally open to ideas.

#4 Post by **Lisa65** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 4:09 am

It might be easier if some kind of AW fund was set up, especially for members outside of the US.

I don't know anything about mailing cheques outside of the UK as it would of course be in GBP, and I'm not sure if it could be paid into a non-UK account, if that makes sense.

#5 Post by **Braceschris** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 8:19 pm

I would suggest you get the e-mail address for the bank and link it with the article and let people get in contact with them directly. Also I would send something to the family telling them they they might be geting support from people of this group.

Chris

#6 Post by **Delag** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 8:48 pm

Don't get yourself in the middle with money. I don't mean to be a Scrooge, but it could turn into a big problem for you. If people wish to donate funds you have shown them how it can be done. Just my .02

#7 Post by **SDFD TSchott** » Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:53 pm

I hate to be the "Grinch" but I've sent money internationally to help out a family with a problem that a friend of mine knew... well it turned into a small court battle which turned out I won the case and the people were actually con-artists trying to make an easy buck!

So I don't send money internationally anymore.

~Tim~

#8 Post by **PrincessMelody** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:40 am

I think it would be a great idea. I'll contribute a few dollars.

I wish I could give more... still jobless

#9 Post by **bbsadmin** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 6:48 pm

I called Evelyn Clark today, the contact person in the article.

She is checking to see if a family member has a PayPal account where you guys can send donations. She is also going to ask the bank if there's any way to send money to the fund directly via the internet.

I'll let you know what I find out.

#10 Post by **bbsadmin** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 4:31 pm

You guys will be interested to know that Jalyn has joined our message board today! Her member name is: jalynhasbraces. She has made a few posts already in the Oral Surgery forum.

#11 Post by **bbsadmin** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 9:00 pm

A Paypal account has been created for Jalyn, but it's not ready to receive funds yet (if you have ever signed up for PayPal, you know that it takes a day or two to "verify" the account).

Jalyn's folks expect the account to be active soon. When it is, I'll give you guys the email address.

-Lynn

#12 Post by **bbsadmin** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 8:51 am

OK folks, the family has set up a PayPal account where donations can be sent.

If you want to help Jalyn reach her financial goal to get her jaw surgery, log into your PayPal account and send your donation to this email address, which belongs to her grandmother Evelyn Clark (the woman mentioned in the article):

evelyn232@aol.com