Hi Sweetie. I haven't been on in awhile, but I just saw your video and I'm so so sorry! I just want to send you a big ol' warm cyber hug! I'm going to share your video in hopes others will be able to help you out financially. Continue to be strong ok, because the midnight hour can only last so long...and your help and support is on the way. Maybe someone can look up local dentists in your area with the hopes that they can contribute their time and skill? The sky's the limit when it comes to what human beings are able to do for each other when a need arises...and I'm going to believe for it all right with you!

(((Big hugs to you Heather!)))

If someone wants to spread the word that we can now accept cash or checks for those who are not excited about using credit cards online, feel free to spread that word...here are the links to the information you may need...both FB page and Fundly page include information on how to send check or cash through regular mail and the Fundly site includes TWO video blogs from me now...thanks to any who have donated...

This is the online fundraising site:

http://fundly.com/surgery-very-much-needed#_=_

Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/HelpingToGiveAGirlBackASmile

Oh sweetie, I know that it's slow going, but we will do all that we can. Hopefully my donation will not disappear from your fundly site again.
>.<
Michael - You're truly wonderful! I wish that I were still able to work so that I could give Heather more. Thank you for being so giving.

Hugs all around,
Brandee

Thanks Brandee.

I just feel like curling up in a ball and doing nothing. :( I am going to a Carrie Underwood concert tonight and also got the word that they rescheduled The Band Perry's rained out concert from September for May...but I am not nearly as excited as I should be...this has completely taken over me. :(

I don't like this. I do not like this at all.

Heather
I feel bad that your teeth are in such bad condition. As you can see, many of us are in the same boat. I just broke a molar I had repaired in May and I've destroyed my bite plate. Many of us have medical expenses and can not work. I am still paying off two surgeries from the summer and just had another lumbar puncture. People will do what they are able to do, and I know you are young, but I really don't think complaining that people are not helping you enough or giving enough is beneficial. As you've stated yourself many times, you ate going to another concert. Maybe if this procedure is necessary the saving should start with you. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but concerts aren't cheap. I would love to go to a concert, but my head can't handle the volume. Because you are young, I will say that I think you should think a little more about what you put out there for all to see. Just because someone can't help you immediately doesn't mean they couldn't, say next pay period. You don't seem to understand that people have families they need to care for and are dealing with many many issues here, and finances and is big part of that.
I'm sorry, but after reading some of your posts here and on Facebook, I felt this needed to be said. I hope people are able to donate and you get the help you need, but you shouldn't make people feel bad if they can not contribute money to your teeth. I've learned a lot of lessons since becoming sick. And being appreciative of what I do have and any small act of kindness by others are at the top of the list. Having to go without things I used to have, or stuff I used to be able to do is probably next. Even though I feel really horrible everyday, I try not to project that negativity outward onto others.
Good luck
Amy

I didn't see where she stated that SHE paid her way to the concerts.

I'm not going to make that assumption either.

Somebody will have to show it to me.

I guess someone will just have to ask her, Heather, how do you afford to go out so much? Who pays for you outings?

I don't know who pays for her outings, and I think what you did was truly awesome Mike. I really do. I would like to do it myself.

My point was really that Heather needs to look at the bigger picture and take others into consideration. I know that is not easy to do. But making statements like, this is pathetic and sad, and that nobody cares for her, etc. is just selfish and immature. I can't drop my life to fund hers and I shouldn't be shamed for that. I have my own shit storm of medical trouble right now and I would think that anyone on this site would understand that we are all in it up to our necks.

I know this may not be well received by everyone but I'm just miserable enough to say it. Sorry if I've offended.
Amy

She's in the hospital. Back at Hopkins.

I do not have an income. Friends and family do these for me.

As Mike said, I am in the hospital so that is really all I can type in my phone.

Amy is making a good and reasonable point that can only serve you, Heather, if you can hear what she's really saying to you. If I may presume to expound on the message I believe she was sending, I have felt concern about this myself.

Some of us really want to send money, but seriously have none. I lost my home in September. Leading up to that event, I had to sell absolutely everything of value I owned including my car, my furniture, my instruments, my clothes, and every scrap of jewelry including my wedding rings. I literally have nothing of value left. I, too, have six fractured/crumbling teeth and need to have them all removed and replaced with dentures. I also need to be under a doctor's care, but those who have followed my story know that I have no money and no insurance, and NOBODY will treat me. The doc from SSDI has said if I don't get immediate help, I will be blind within no more than a few months, and that's forever.

So I really GET what it is to need help and not be able to get it. I also want to help my girl (Heather), but a cash donation is not one of the ways in which I can help her. What I *can* do, though, is pass her message on to my friends and give Heather advice on how to improve her chances of getting donations and having more and more people willing to share her story with others. That's what I'm trying to do even with this post, and what I believe Amy is trying to do as well.

Heather, I know you are in horrible, relentless pain and you are within a hair of giving up. I know you're exhausted from fighting and you're feeling hopeless and helpless, and it is a normal human reaction to want to lash out in anger and frustration -- not at those who are trying to help, but by expressing that anguish THROUGH the people who are there to help. It is easily misinterpreted as being directed AT them. That makes you look ungrateful and spoiled, which I know you are not.

None of us is born equipped to deal with everything that will ever happen in our lives. Fundraising for charitable causes is a profession that requires a specific skillset. For example, when I recommended that you post pix of what your teeth look like right now along with the pix of your beautiful smile before your teeth started to fall apart. The reason is (love it or hate it) marketing. If you want people to give to a cause, they need to FEEL and SEE the problem so they can empathize. Not feel pity, but empathy. Pity doesn't motivate people, but feeling what it must be like does.

So helping people to be able to see and understand what is happening is step one of gaining their empathy. Step two is to be careful what you ask for. I personally would re-write the comments under the donation dollar amounts, and lower those amount. Yes, donations of $250 would be awesome and would move this along much more quickly, but it simply isn't reasonable and will scare people away... especially when the comments under lower donation amounts literally portray that you would be disappointed in a lesser contribution.

Times suck. People have been out of work for years. Jobs are no longer secure as they once were. People are fighting to pay their bills. You are also competing with donations to Sandy victims, support for our troops, the holidays, etc. -- causes folks deeply believe in and organizations that HAVE professional fundraisers helping them spread the word.

Sweetie, my best advice is understand that people DO want to help, and make that a feel-good experience for them by showing your appreciation and gratiutude. Change your presentation so a $1 donation is as meaningful and appreciated as a $100 donation. Why? Because most folks will consider a small donation even in the worst of times. It makes them feel good, and it DOES further the cause, which means they will share your message with THEIR friends. 5,000 people donating a buck will get you a lot further than hoping for $250 apiece from just a few people.

It is time to adjust your expectations of how this will all happen. It isn't realistic to think you can post a web page and the money will flow in just because you need and deserve it. It takes work. Networking. Getting the message out there. Giving folks something to feel good about when they *do* give. You must take your strength and encouragement from every dollar someone has chosen to send you, because every dollar represents a complete stranger FEELING YOU and wanting to make a difference. That's HUGE! It's not the dollar amount or how quickly they're adding up, but the fact that folks GET your pain and care enough to make a difference.

In that light, it is so important to NEVER make your supporters feel like they've failed or disappointed you. As Amy pointed out, some folks may not be able to help right away, but they may be planning to send what they can next payday. If you so much as APPEAR to be ingracious, they will look elsewhere for someone who WILL appreciate their efforts. Make SURE your posts are positive and hopeful, and keep folks updated on your progess. If you're not feeling well, it's okay to say so, but don't take your pain and frustration out on those who are there for you. Be careful about how you're saying things so it doesn't appear as though you are trying to emotionally batter or manipulate people... or shame/guilt them in to giving more. That will NEVER work, but will virtually guarantee that the support will be withdrawn.

I have a network of the most giving, generous friends you can imagine. They give and give to multiple causes. This is why I shared your page with them. I am not worth anything to you in cash right now, but I willing to share your story with several thousand people I trust and respect. It would be deeply embarrassing to me if I recommended you to those people, then they were made to feel shame for not being able to do more. Even the smallest gift is a gift and must be unfailingly appreciated and recognized. So my advice is adjust your perspective and expectations to something more realistic, and give good people time. Give them a chance.

I know how HARD this is with all you're going through but it is the ONLY way your campaign will be successful. I personally think it's awesome that you got the chance to go to a concert -- every human being needs a reason to smile and feel better, if only for a little while. Be careful, though, and keep in mind that folks don't know you. They only know what they read of you, so make sure what you're putting out there can't be misinterpreted. All of this is offered out of love and a true desire to see you feel better. There is no judgement in my owrds -- I only want to help because I believe you deserve it.