I feel so very ashamed reaching out and asking for help but I don't know what else to do. I grew up in a house hold with an abusive father who would not let my mother take me to the dentist or even the doctor for that matter. I did not see a dentist for the first time until I was 17 years old. By this time I had cavities as well as plenty of misaligned teeth. Just one year later I was in a serious automobile accident where I was left with a broken jaw in 2 places. I was given liquid vicodin for pain and unfortunately, this started me on a road of addiction to pain medication which ruined a big part of my life. I spent years struggling with addiction. I have always worked hard and done my best in life but that addiction was always there. In 2015 my little sister was diagnosed with liver disease. I literally watched this beautiful person, this light who was my sister, slowly die. Prior to her passing I promised my sister I would get clean and I kept my promise and I have been clean ever since. My life is completely different today and I feel great about everything except my teeth. Several years back during my addiction I noticed a lump in the roof of my mouth and just new it was a tooth under there but it never popped through until just a few years back so now along with the other problems, I also have a tooth coming out of the roof of my mouth.

I have always worked hard providing for my son so my dental issues took a backseat. Then once the pandemic hit I lost my job like many people did.

In 2020 work was very hard to find. However, I had a job interview in toledo and upon getting into the city I made a wrong turn and ended up in the wrong area. The next thing I knew, I was being pulled from my car by 2 men and beaten as they were trying to get my keys from me. One of the men had a little club that he kept hitting me with. That man knocked out my front teeth and 2 teeth on the left side of my mouth. Someone yelled out "I am calling the cops" and these guys took off leaving me laying there.

I am so ashamed of my teeth. Along with failing teeth I have the tooth in the roof of my mouth which makes chewing difficult. The biggest issue is just being embarrassed of my teeth. I don't smile, I don't laugh and I don't socialize with people. I work as a carpenter right now making about 3 thousand a month a little more at times, and I work hard every day. I just can't afford dental implants, and that is what I want so badly. I just want so much to smile and just feel good about myself. I want to talk to people and laugh and not feel ashamed. I don't even date anymore because I am just so embarrassed and withdrawn from people.

It would mean so much to me just be able to smile and have my confidence back, something I haven't had in a very long time