Crystal, 25 years old, CA | 1004 DAYS WAITING

Wish submitted by:

Think of Us

Crystal is a former foster youth who aged out of foster care after turning 18. Crystal has lived experience as a survivor of sexual and physical abuse when living with her biological mother. Crystal had to file a report and was taken from her mother to live with her grandmother since her father was incarcerated. Crystal struggled without having much support or consistency during her childhood and this led to acting out and having to move from foster home to foster home or into group homes. But Crystal is doing her best now with her own family. She is a mother of two sweet children, and she is doing her best to give them a home she never had. Crystal loves to play with them and cherishes her time with them at their home with their father. Crystal is looking forward to her future and the family she is learning to grow on her own.

Crystal is so excited about the opportunity to get braces this year! As a child, Crystal was very shy and wouldn’t speak publicly because of her insecurities with her teeth and smile. She was also bullied by her peers in school when her family wouldn’t help her get orthodontic care, and because of these experiences, she rarely smiles. Now, as a young adult, she is noticing complications with her sleep from the crowding of her front teeth, and she is unable to play or sing with her children in public because of her smile. Crystal has done her homework to find an orthodontist she enjoys working with even with some of the barriers presented to her by Medical-Cal’s limitations in being able to provide care or any other assistance programs due to her being over the age of 18. However, the orthodontist’s office has been kind enough to work with her on a reduced bill for her braces and the appointments for care! But Crystal still needs some financial help to cover this big cost for her and her family. In terms of what this would mean to Crystal, it’s best to let her express her wish: “I want nothing in this world than to have a smile to complete my heart. I want to be able to take family pictures without a serious face. Just being able to smile. I want to be able to get a job without feeling ugly and insecure.” It would be so great to have communities come together to help Crystal get the smile she deserves!