FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Linda Chandler-Jacobs BS., RDH |
Biography
Executive Director/ Linda Chandler Jacobs Linda Chandler-Jacobs founded “The Potters Smile, Inc. in 2019 in honor of her late mother, Mary Pierre-Chandler. Linda graduated from the University of Texas Dental School, Houston, Texas in 1977, became President of the Southeast National Dental Hygiene Association, and was voted top Dental Hygienist in 2012. Linda furthered her endeavors serving on the board of Sickle Cell Houston and professionally speaking about the importance of oral health in sickle cell patients in over 10 different states. With written articles addressing health issues, Linda continues to educate dental professionals publicly and continues to make an impact in her community and around the world. |
Linda’s mother was born in 1912. It was only two years earlier; the first known case of Sickle Cell Disease was discovered in the United States of America in the year 1910. Mary Chandler suffered all her life with a severe case of anemia. Mary’s local doctor gave her B-12 shots, vitamins, had her taking Geritol to build up her blood, and even a shot of Morgan Davis wine every night. All attempts failed to build up her blood. It was not until at the age of seventy-two, on her dying bed, it was discovered; she had Sickle Cell Anemia. The last fatal blow for Mary, was a sickle cell crisis that damaged the nerves in her spinal cord. Mary could no longer walk! A spinal tap revealed no bacteria or virus present in her spinal fluids. The attending Physician also wanted to know why her heart was so severely damaged. No one knew, even her mother did not know; that her heart was in such bad condition. Sickle Cell Anemia had played a devastating toll on her body.
|
Mary’s family knew she would get sick sometimes with pain, however they knew nothing of a “sickle cell crisis.” They knew she had a bad skin rash that affected her arms and neck; however, they knew nothing of the skin rash associated with “Sickle Cell Disease.” Linda remembers seeing her mother in a fetal position in bed because her body was in so much pain, however the doctor did not know what was causing her pain. The pain usually subsided in about a week and she lived on. No one knew anything about the duration of a “sickle cell crisis.” Linda remembers how her mother constantly looked for answers to her health condition. Someone told her mother if she went to Hot Water Springs Arkansas and sat in the hot spring waters that would help. This did not help! She tried herbs and ointments for her rash; that did not help. She drank herbal teas to no avail. She tried everything she knew to build up her blood. Mary did not know, and her family did not know; Mary Elizabeth Pierre-Chandler, had Sickle Cell Anemia. |
It has been a slow and difficult journey for Sickle Cell Disease. Now there is hope! New research and new drugs are available, and they are helping those with Sickle Cell Disease. Now we face a new dilemma with this Disease: the devastating effects it has on the bone in the mouths of those with Sickle Cell Disease and the Sickle Cell Trait. The mission of “The Potters Smile” is to bring awareness and restore the smiles of those who suffer from the effects of this disease.