Special Cases — Help Beyond the Clinic

Sometimes, the need goes beyond the clinic. Through Special Cases, Ed-Ventures in Missions helps individuals with specific, life-changing medical and dental needs that fall outside a regular mission trip. Past support has included help with glasses, tuberculosis care, and cancer care. Each case is shared with care and, where a story is told, with permission.

Alexis — Dental Procedure

Story written by a volunteer, shared with permission from Alexis's parent, presented in the volunteer's own words — not edited with AI.

Alexis! He's a boy. He's a twelve years old river kid a bit like Tom Sawyer except his river is the Amazon. Also like Tom, Alexis is full of fun and mischief, a bright student who loves to engage with people. He's a charmer though unaware of his effect on people. His eyes gleam and coupled with his brilliant smile you wonder what he's done or perhaps what he's planning to do. Unfortunately, just under his current smile a problem is brewing. He has an extra set of canines growing above his regular teeth. They'll have to come out and he'll need braces to bring his teeth back in line. His older brother had the same problem and the procedure made an incredible difference for him, his willingness to smile and regain self-confidence. Easy fix, just find the right oral surgeon to extract the unwanted canines then another specialist to do the braces. Just flash your insurance card and away you go. Except in the jungle city of Iquitos Peru, the idea of insurance isn't even a concept. Even if it were the co-pay would be beyond his parents' ability with six other siblings. And that's what I want to talk to you about. For the price of half a tank of gas, or dinner for two at a decent restaurant you can help make a life changing procedure for Alexis. If you're in Iquitos sometime, we can take him out to dinner...It's amazing what a 12 year old boy can do to a cheeseburger or three. You'll get rewarded with a his great goofy smile.

Goal: $2,500

What your gift helps cover:

- Consultation and X-rays

- Extraction of at least 2 extra canines

- Braces

- Retainer and medications

- Travel and food for Alexis and both parents, about 1 hour by tuk-tuk each way from the outskirts of Iquitos

Costs vary by provider and by what Alexis needs at each step, so the amounts above are part of the overall $2,500 goal rather than fixed prices.

If the goal is met, any additional donations will go towards helping Alexis's family's health and food.