When Giving Comes Full Circle. Based on a True Story.

Sometimes, life has a way of showing us the magic of giving when we least expect it. It was another busy day at my orthodontics practice in Brazil. Between caring for patients and managing the business, I was also immersed in organizing a charity event. The goal was to bring together several medical practices to offer complementary medical and dental services to underserved communities.

But beyond providing care, the mission was to host regular events throughout the year, targeting specific organizations or local communities in need, offering them whatever support they required. To share the costs and make these efforts sustainable, the expenses were divided among the participating businesses, proving the truth of the saying, TEAM "Together Everyone Achieves More."

One of my favorite activities, even today, is going to the movie theater with my kids. It’s not just about the entertainment, it’s a wonderful way to teach life lessons through the stories we watch. A quick conversation afterward, sparked by the movie’s themes, can open the door to meaningful discussions, especially with teenagers who rarely seem to have free time for their parents. Inspired by this for the next event, I decided to take all the children from the largest local orphanage to a private movie screening at Cinemark.

This wasn’t a simple undertaking. First, we needed to secure legal authorization from a judge to take the children out for a special day. Then, we arranged to book an entire auditorium exclusively for the event. The logistics included transportation, popcorn, drinks, candy, and goodie bags for every child. By the end of the day, I was making final calls, coordinating with volunteers, and settling the bills. I personally wired our contribution that afternoon, covering the total cost of $XYZ.

As I sat in my office near the clinical room, the phone rang. It was my office coordinator calling to update me on the next day’s patient schedule. We ended the call, and I was about to leave back home when the phone rang again. This time, she mentioned something she’d forgotten earlier, a patient, who had been behind on their payments for some time, had just made a deposit. Then she told me the amount: $ XYZ. 

I froze. Chills ran through my body as the realization hit me. Only hours earlier, I had donated the exact same amount to make the charity event possible. Sensing my silence, she asked, "Dr. A, are you okay?”. “Yes," I replied, "I’m great, thank you.”

In that moment, I was incredulous, flooded with emotions, happiness and even a hint of fear. But most of all, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. It was as if God Himself had whispered, "Whatever you give, I will return to you." It was a divine reassurance that I was on the right path.

The event was a success! We all had an incredible time, and for several of the children, it was their very first experience in a movie theater. The joy on their faces was unforgettable, not just for them, but for me as well. This story is one of many similar moments I’ve experienced, and I’ve heard countless others share their own tales of giving and unexpected blessings.

These occurrences aren’t coincidences, they happen every day, every minute, to those who open their hearts and give freely. Whether it’s your skills, your wealth, your time, or your love, the act of giving has a way of creating ripples that come back to you in the most unexpected and miraculous ways.  Our orthodontic practice is far more than just clear aligners, brackets, wires, and AI softwares. It’s the place where we spend most of our time, where we help people, and where we find fulfillment. It’s not just about transforming smiles within our business circle but also about using our knowledge to impact lives beyond it, creating happiness and meaningful change.

"This holiday season, let’s remember the profound joy of giving. How will you make a difference in other people’s lives ?”

Sincerely,

Dr A 

P.S. For more inspiring true stories about Ortho.i® and the “One Prime Group” initiative, visit the webpage:https://www.facebook.com/voluntariosoneprime

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