"I was diagnosed with end stage renal failure last April of 2009 and been getting dialysis treatments three times a week. I hope I can last. I need to stay aliive for my son. He needs my care and support especially he too has medical issues of his own. He has been going through a lot. He has inferiority complex, no self-esteem and frustrated from being bullied by other kids at school. I got a call from his orthodontist asking me to pay Big amount of money for the braces they gave to my son which I didn't know was not covered by our dental plan. They told me they will discontinue his treatments until I pay off what we owe that makes me so stressed out. He badly needs those treatments because of his cleft palate and cleft lip. Plastic surgeon will not be able to fix his nose and upper lip without the orthodontic treatments being done.I do not know where to go or who to ask for help. Sometimes I feel like giving up with all the problems I am facing. It breaks my heart when other kids call him names like monster, crooked teeth, ugly face or flat nose. I only wish the best for my son but it is so difficult for me to fulfill it. I haven't worked for 18 months now and it is so hard to make both ends meet with only one income with a lot of bills to pay. I am really so desperate for help. I am so physically, emotionally, and financially drained."

Where or who can I ask for help? I am not asking for money for my own personal gain. I just want my son's orthodontic treatments be continued so his surgeries will push through. I just want the best for my son. I want to see him happy and gain his self-esteem. Please help me find solutions? Thank you so much!!

Have you tried dental schools in your area? Does his school have a list of resources?

I am concerned that you are a dialysis patient and "hope you can last." What does the dialysis center say?

(My late husband was a dialysis patient, also.)

Hi Judy! Thank you for your reply. The ortho place was a dental school of UCSF. They are charging me $4400 for the braces and wirings they installed in my son's mouth. I don't want the treatment to get discontinued because if they do then my hopes for him to get fixed before he goes to college will never happen. I feel sorry for my son to have to deal with pain each day because of the kids who were not taught right by their parents. I have no relatives here in America and I tried asking for help from friends but they didn't extra money to loan me. My health has been affected because I worry too much since they told me I have to pay for that amount. I need a kidney transplant but the wait is too long. I really pray I can last for my son. He really needs my care and guidance. I don't know what to do or what to think anymore.

I know of no other resources for your son unless there is a local agency which corrects birth defects.

$4, 400 at USCS! Yikes!

I already applied with a local agency but they did not cover orthodontic services. They said they have no budget for such treatments.

I'm not surprised with the economy what is is - BUT... as a dialysis patient does the local Transplant Service Office or Kidney Transplant Service have a list of services and charities which will assist you?

There IS such a list in my area because dialysis is so expensive.

Have you tried applying for calmed or any other number of children's medical plans that the state offers on a sliding scale. They do include dental too.

They changed the name of the program. But here it is.

California Healthy Families - Children’s Health Insurance Program

I have no problem with my dialysis treatments. National Kidney Fund is taking care of my bill. I worry about my son's bill because I don't work and no money to pay what they are asking me to pay

That link I posted IS for your son.

And at the end of the day, without sounding mean or hard, Your son may just have to stop treatments until something else can be arranged. I am not sure how "disfigured" he is, but it may just be something that he will have to learn to be happy with his self until he is older and can pay for a lot of it his self.

Also where were you, when they were getting estimates for the treatment, where were you when insurance should have been verified before and a cost of treatment agreed to before hand.

Also where is the father, and what is his obligations

That is the big question Fr. Chuck. I would not have the courage to take my son to an orthodontist if I knew that I have something to pay for it. I thought the state agency where I applied him for the medical and dental will take care of everything because that was my understanding when I got the approval and authorization. I tried to explain with the dental staff about what I know with the arrangements but they said they can't do anything about it because their claims for payment were denied by the state. My husband is the only one working and he doesn't make that much for our household expenses and bills.

It would appear that your son's needs do not rise to the level of a medical necessity. Unfortunate, indeed, and I think you need to continue to explore other options and avenues as have been suggested to you.

In order to pay for orthodontic bill of your son you can consult your dental insurance company. If it refuses to pay and in case if orthodontic treatment is not included in your dental insurance scheme then you should ask your company to provide orthodontic insurance plan which will cover all types of dental treatments. It will pay about half of the expenses incurred in orthodontic treatment.