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Help Gemma Get Her Jaw Fixed

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This fundraiser is for Ms. Gemma Summers, a Registered Nurse in her rural community. She is a constant positive and hopeful support for others, while also trying to raise awareness regarding the lack of access to care and high costs for severe TMJ injury. She is unable to work or perform her daily activities independently at this time. None of her jaw treatment is covered by MSP. She, in true Nursing style is working to change BC law to include TMJ as a medical cost covered by MSP.
 
    November 2017, both discs in Gemma’s jaw dislocated, effectively locking her jaw closed, disc displacement without reduction. She had to drink her food and limit talking to a few minutes a day for over a year. Since then she has paid and had jaw surgeries, which were unsuccessful (and was also informed she needed a joint replacement) and developed a number of serious medical problems as a result. She is able to talk now, but with a lot of pain and is on a very restricted diet. Gemma’s medical and dental team together have referred her to an experienced Private Oral Surgeon to resolve her severe TMJ dysfunction, damaged discs and dislocation. Her condition is extremely painful and her funds have run out.

    

    Gemma requires funds for her ongoing treatment and corrective measures like private Surgical Consultation fees, Oral Surgeon fees, Surgery fees, Orthodontic costs, Dentist fees, TMJ Specialist fees, medication costs, gas to and from 21 health care providers (only 2 local), medical bills, Rehab costs, continued loss of income, mortgage and cost of living. It will be a substantial amount of time before treatment is received, rehab is completed and Gemma is able to return to work nursing again. The first thing the money will go towards is her oral surgeon consultation and treatment, which she cannot afford to go to at this time.
 
     Gemma is a very bright and hardworking girl. With her limited means she isn’t in any position to currently afford any further treatment (she is over $50,000 into costs for this injury). Our collective effort and goodwill can help a young woman in her struggle to get her life, health, and career back.
 
    As a nurse Gemma has selflessly helped all of her patients to the best of her ability, and in a reversal of roles is reaching out and relying on the goodwill of all kindhearted people, we are submitting this appeal for help. Without your help she wont be able to get the help she needs.


 



Want to better understand her injury? Here is a brief explanation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB468Jh9aAY 


How YOU can help:

 
·      Make a donation
·      To help get the word out, you can share this link to your Facebook Timeline!
 
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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $100 
    • 3 yrs
  • Emily Vanden Berg
    • $50 
    • 3 yrs
  • Paulette Batstone
    • $100 
    • 3 yrs
  • Janelle Vanderveen
    • $20 
    • 3 yrs
  • Sandra Topley
    • $50 
    • 4 yrs
Donate

Fundraising team (2)

Gemma Summers
Organizer
Raised $1,535 from 16 donations
South Okanagan , BC
Brittany Morris
Team member
This team raised $2,160 from 24 other donations.

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