Lives Touched
Touching Lives:
Five Stories of
Transformation
True Community. Touching Lives.
Let’s Face It Together is a non-profit foundation that brings community members together to
fill the gap between what is available in our healthcare system and what is required to make patients whole.
Helping one person at a time, the foundation has touched the lives of many by restoring health, confidence and self esteem to people significant facial alterations.
The five people introduced here are but a few whose lives have been transformed by the Let’s Face It Together Foundation. The need is much greater.
Meet Rachelle
Former Dental Assistant, Unemployed, uninsured
I found Dr. Cockerham online while researching my
Graves Disease, and trying to figure out how I could
afford treatment. I was intrigued by the link on her
website to the Let’s Face It Together Foundation: “Uninsured? We can help.”
I emailed them and Dr. Cockerham herself replied
back to me. After exchanging several emails and
photos, she determined I needed to make an
appointment to see her, where she agreed I was a
candidate for surgery. Finally I had someone who
believed me! She has personally fought for me to
get my life back.
I have a lonely and disfiguring disease that has robbed
me of my life. It changed my face and eyes. I used to work as a dental assistant specializing in orthodontics but double vision ended my career. I avoid being
seen and even shun family pictures. At home alone, my vision prevents me from enjoying simple daily
things like reading, working on a computer or driving.
"I have a lonely and disfiguring disease.
It changed my face and eyes.
I avoid being seen.”
I have just started my journey with Dr. Cockerham and the Let’s Face It Together Foundation, but I already feel less anxious
and optimistic that I will be back to myself and productive again.
I am excited to have undergone my first surgery and look
forward to ongoing interventions and care over the next year.
Meet Jason
Marketing and Consulting, Underinsured
As a competitive cyclist, I would often combine
my training with my commute to work. One cold
November morning, I collided with an SUV—my face
was no match for the truck’s side window. Among
other injuries, the collision left me with deep cuts to
the right side of my face. While my insurance paid
for the emergency-room visit and 128 stitches, I was
left with a significantly altered appearance. It was
the beginning of a new path in my life—with the
harsh lessons of the medical insurance system.
After my initial surgery, I was referred to Dr. Cockerham
for her expertise in reconstruction after trauma. I still
remember the feeling of relief when she spoke of her
military service. I understood that I could never be
100% again, but Dr. Cockerham gave me hope that
improvement was possible. Through the Let’s Face
It Together Foundation, Dr. Cockerham was able to
provide me laser treatments and injections that were
critical to my recovery—treatments my insurance
company deemed unnecessary.
“ I was left with a significantly
altered appearance. It was the beginning
of a new path in my life—with the harsh
lessons of the medical insurance system.”
I am greatly indebted to the Let’s Face It Together Foundation.
I am now at 90% of my original facial function and appearance. I ride my bike outdoors again and live a fulfilling life, facing the world with greater confidence.
Meet Gina
Parole Officer, Underinsured
I had been on my own since I was 12, essentially
fending for myself and siblings without help from
my gang-involved and substance-abusive family.
Despite growing up in a violent neighborhood and
periods of homelessness, I was the first in my family
to graduate high school. While juggling community
college, working with troubled community youth
and caring for my siblings, I was involved in a car
accident with a drunk driver. After the emergency
visit and initial surgery, I was still left with glass and
gravel in my scarred face. I needed more medical
help, but my insurance provider disagreed.
I felt like a monster. People would look at me and
look away. Dr. Cockerham provided me the care
I could have never received, and allowed me to
look in the mirror again and like who I saw. She
gave me back my self esteem.
“ I felt like a monster. People would look
at me and look away. Dr. Cockerham provided me the care
I could have never received.”
I will never forget the help of Dr. Cockerham and Let’s
Face It Together that helped fill the gap that the business
of healthcare often leaves. With confidence, I am leading
a fulfilling life as probation officer and counselor for underprivileged kids involved in gangs.
Meet Fabian
Farm worker, Uninsured
My face started to swell and a mass near my eye
became larger and larger. I had seen many doctors,
but none could help me. Finally I met Dr. Cockerham
who provided the surgery I needed. She saw me
many times over the course of several months to
make sure I healed well.
I am very thankful to the Let’s Face It Together
Foundation for their help.
“ A mass near my eye became larger
and larger. I had seen many doctors,
but none could help me.”
I am now a productive worker and feel comfortable attending social functions again. Thank you for all you have done!
Meet Susanne
Former Model, Administrative Assistant
Under-insured
When I was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease in 2003,
doctors told me it would get worse before it got
better. My thyroid imbalance was treated with
radioactive iodine and within weeks, my eyes and
face changed, and I gained a great deal of weight.
I was unrecognizable to myself and my loved ones.
Comments like ‘What’s wrong with your eyes?” “What
happened to your face?” steadily deteriorated my self-esteem. My endocrinologist’s advice was to just
accept that I was getting older. I withdrew from family
and friends and became a recluse as I suffered in
silence. I was unable to drive because of double
vision and loss of depth perception, and peripheral
and night vision. These symptoms and my increasing
anxiousness and irritability added to my feelings of
depression.
After three years, I found Dr. Cockerham. She listened,
studied my photos, reviewed all the data, and reassured
me that I wasn’t losing my mind. Within my first
visit, she charted a one-year course of action that
included surgery and other reconstructive procedures.
“I withdrew from family and friends and became a recluse as I suffered in silence.”
I am so thankful for the care Dr. Cockerham provided through the Let’s Face It Together Foundation. She not only restored
my eyesight, but I am finally able to look at myself in the mirror and see the person I used to be before Graves’ Disease.
I have regained my confidence and have a full life again.”
Help us Make a Difference
You can help us touch the lives of those in need in our community. Your contribution of time, resources, skills or donations to the Let’s Face It Together Foundation will help transform lives like those you’ve just seen.
Donations can be made securely online using PayPal.
Or checks can be made out to: Let’s Face It Together Foundation
Please send to:
Kimberly Cockerham, MD
Let's Face It Together
1826 W Kettleman, Suite F4
Lodi, Ca 95242
Questions:
Lfitfoundation@gmail.com
209-333-8369
Proceeds from KCMD skincare and cosmetic
services also help fund the Foundation.
So by putting your own refreshed and
rejuvenated face forward, you can make
a difference in our community.
Helping Those in Need
If you or someone you know is in need and lacks
adequate insurance coverage
to have their medical needs met, we want to help.
Let’s Face It Together Foundation
Kimberly Cockerham, M.D.
1826 W Kettleman, Suite F4
Lodi, Ca 95242
Questions:
Lfitfoundation@gmail.com
209-333-8369
Partners who make it work
A special thanks to our community partners, without whom the
Let’s Face It Together Foundation
could not help serve our community:
Central Valley Eye Medical Group
Valley Laser and Surgery Center
Stanislaus Surgical Hospital
Lodi Outpatient Surgery Center
Stockton Women’s Network
Our Spa Affiliates:
Balisimo • Ciao Bella
Smooth • Southern Exposure • Uneka
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