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As we mark 40 years and nearly one million patients served, we’re revisiting Sonia’s story. Sonia was one the 321 patients served at the RAM Clinic in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in March 2022. She is one of RAM’s stories of hope, as we celebrate 40 years of health, hope, and humanity.
Need for Free Dental Care —
For Sonia, the RAM Clinic was not only an opportunity to remove a painful tooth, but it also gave her a renewed sense of hope. Sonia had become homeless just over a week before the clinic. She’s also disabled and experiencing economic hardship.
“Because I felt like every door closed on me, and, no matter how much I tried to help, and get help, everything closes,” said Sonia.
She knew that she needed to make the trip up from Miami to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to get her tooth removed. The tooth had been causing pain for nearly six months. She was struggling to eat because of the severity.
Although she once had dental insurance, it didn’t cover the care she needed, leaving her with an untreated tooth.
Sonia is not alone, nearly half of RAM’s patients report having dental insurance. However, due to high costs, they cannot get the care they need.
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“This program not only took out — was going to take out my tooth, but it saved my life I’m extremely grateful because I feel like, I am alive right now because of RAM,” she said.
The clinic could not have come at a better time for her; she had begun to lose hope because her situation continued to worsen.
Thanks to the dedicated team of volunteers at the free clinic, Sonia was able to get the tooth removed. After the tooth was removed, Sonia hugged the dentist and a RAM staff member. She was overjoyed that the tooth and pain were finally gone.
Stories of Hope and Never Giving Up —
The experience gave her a renewed sense of hope.
“Never give up hope. ‘Cause that’s what they taught me here. To not give up hope —that’s what RAM taught me,” Sonia said.
RAM Clinics have the power to change the course of someone’s life through the simple act of giving them access to the care they need — the care they deserve.
Supporting RAM and Patients Like Sonia —
If you’d like to help more patients like Sonia get the care they need, to renew their sense of hope, please donate.
Every dollar makes a difference in our patients’ lives. If you would like to become a monthly donor to keep your gift going throughout the year, please click here.
If you are a healthcare professional that would like to make a difference in the lives of patients like Sonia, please volunteer at one of our upcoming free clinics. We also are always in need of general support volunteers at our clinics, click here to learn more.
Help us spread the word about RAM’s mission. The more people that know about RAM, the more patients we can help. Follow RAM on social media, share our mission with your friends and family!
Want to read more stories of hope like this? Download our magazine, it’s completely free! Also check out our blog to keep up to date with all things RAM.
Our free clinic schedule lets patients know when and where we will be next. Please share our schedule with anyone in need of RAM’s free services.
