Road to Recovery

I met my beautiful girlfriend Shea over 4 years ago when she was working where I lived. Even after seeing her huge welcoming smile, as I walked into the front office, I was too shy to talk to her. So, I sent my roommate to get her number. Turns out she lived the next hall over and came by that night. She jokingly told me not to be shy to do the neighborly.. make her cupcakes or something. Next day, I was at her door with two trays of home made cupcakes and we have been together ever since.

We spent our weekends surfing, skating, and pursing Shea’s passion, her not for profit organization Recycled Reading. Over only one year, we were able to collect and distribute over 6,000 used children’s books to local hospitals and schools in need.

Shea has always been my support as I pursued my dreams of playing soccer professionally. She was at every college game rain or shine and was waiting for me with open arms after I spent time abroad playing pro in Iceland.

However, I am now the one that has become the support system. In the past two years Shea’s health has taken a turn for the worse. Daily she is in unimaginable pain as she has been experiencing changes to her bite, face, headache, eye & ear pain, and is reduced to a liquid diet. After numerous doctors and opinions we have discovered she has a rare disease known as Idiopathic Condylar Resorption. Her jawbone is literally dissolving.

This is a disease that practically only affects women and is often misdiagnosed as TMJ until it gets into severity. Shea must undergo an 8-hour surgery with a one-year recovery period, to replace her jaw. She will be fed via syringe for four months.

At only 25, Shea is faced with medical bills, which total well over $150,000. Insurance is fighting her tooth and nail and will not cover her surgeon and only is covering 5% of her hospital stay. I have tried to help by starting www.SheaSmith.org to help raise funds and awareness.

The local gay community in Orlando, FL has been great and threw an awesome benefit for her. Now we hope to reach the gay community on a larger scale. Please if you can, visit SheaSmith.org and help save Shea’s face. We figure with the power of networking, if everyone donated just one dollar and told their friends… who knows how much money we could raise.

Shea is smart, compassionate, and filled with courage and determination. I assure you that your kindness will not be wasted on her. We are both big fans of you two and felt that you would be caring enough to at least listen to her story.

Thank you
Jenny