Childhood medication ruined his teeth. Now Secret Santa is giving this man his smile back
Published at | Updated atA Secret Santa has asked EastIdahoNews.com to help him give away $200,000 to deserving people and families living in east Idaho. From now until Christmas, Santa’s “elves” will be delivering surprises to many in our community. Some of the deliveries will be recorded – many will not. If you’d like to nominate someone for a Secret Santa surprise, click here.
Michael Olson has one simple wish: a smile that looks nice.
The Idaho Falls man was on medication as a child that ruined his teeth to the point that he needs extensive dental work.
“The medicine caused enamel not to form properly,” Kelly Olson, Michael’s mother, tells EastIdahoNews.com. “He needs all his upper teeth removed, his wisdom removed, upper dentures installed and two crowns and fillings on the bottom.”
Michael is 28 years old and has high functioning Asperger’s syndrome. He works six days a week and makes $7.50 an hour.
When he went to a dentist to receive a quote for dental work, it was nearly $15,000.
“He literally cried when he heard that,” Kelly says.
Secret Santa heard about Michael and sent his elves over with a surprise.