A call to support a girl with a jaw-dropping disorder
RANDBURG – A local mother is doing everything she can to raise much-needed funds for her daughter's medical bills after she was diagnosed with a rare medical condition.
A local mother is doing everything she can to raise much-needed funds for her daughter’s medical bills after she was diagnosed with a rare medical condition.
Mel Tehini’s daughter, Cassidee Teixeira (22), is suffering from idiopathic condylar resorption, which is caused by a condition colloquially called ‘leaky gut’ syndrome.
The condition affects the jaw joints and most commonly occurs in teenage girls.
The syndrome causes her body to be unable to absorb any nutrients.
Tehini said, “Cassidee is unable to gain weight and weighs a mere 42kg. She does have a huge appetite but has difficulty chewing her food.”
Cassidee had a jaw operation to lengthen her jaw six years ago as her jaw had not developed as it should.
“Just after that, we noticed the jaw moving back again only to be told that her jaw joints were disintegrating,” she said.
As a result of this, both of her jaw joints need to be replaced.
“The only treatment for this is to cut out gluten and sugar, eat lots of leafy greens and take vitamin K2 amongst a lot of other supplements to strengthen her bones and heal her digestive tract so her bones can absorb what they need.
“If she doesn’t have this surgery as soon as possible her jaw will continue to disintegrate and she would lose any hope of normal functionality which most people take for granted,” explained Tehini.
Cassidee’s breathing is impaired; she cannot chew her food properly, her speech is affected and her joints have deteriorated so much that it is now affecting her hearing.
“Most days, she is in a lot of pain which totally debilitates her. She is unable to work because of this. The orthodontist has now managed to align her teeth enough for the operation to take place as soon as possible.”
According to Tehini, the cost of the operation is R590 000. Titanium joints need to be custom-made overseas to fit her bone structure.
The joints cost between R300 000 and R340 000 depending on the rand/dollar exchange rate.
Tehini’s medical aid will only cover an amount of R200 000.
“We have been trying to raise funds for the past two years and have managed to raise R60 000 for which we are extremely grateful but we still have a long way to go and time is running out. I have put my home on the market in order to raise some of the money but haven’t had any offers yet. It’s a tough market out there.
“We would really appreciate donations in any form, and we need prizes to give away or raffle at fundraising events.”
Tehini has organised a charity golf day and a casino evening to help raise funds.
The charity golf day dubbed the ‘Cassidee’s Chance Golf Day’, will take place on 24 May at the Jackal Creek Golf Estate.
The email address to take part in the golf day is greg@smartcalltech.co.za
The casino evening will be held at the Darrenwood Tennis Club on 5 May and starts at 5pm.
The cost is R300 per person and includes dinner, a drink, and one entry into a raffle.
Details: www.cassideeschance.co.za
