I have to be honest, I'm very uncomfortable with this. I've never asked anyone for help, and it's because of that, that I'm here pleading my case today.
When I was 17 years old I was supposed to get my wisdom teeth extracted, but I chickened out. (It's my life's one big regret). A year later, I no longer had health / dental insurance, nor was I under the care of family. Since then, I have lived paycheck to paycheck, and barely at that.
I'm 37 years old, and my teeth are in worse shape than you can imagine. Although I have a roof over my head, I've spent 3 and a half (non-consecutive) years of my life homeless. I've been hospitilized countless times with flare ups of Ulcerative Colitis, and since I was a teen have suffered with major depression. Naturally, the state of my teeth increases my emotional instability ten-fold.
All my income goes to keeping a roof over my head, and food to eat. My mom is in a bad way, so I try to help her whenever I can, and on top of everything, my little sister the last few years has been dealing with several very aggressive cancers. Breast cancer, Ovarian, and they just found a spot on her brain. I give everything I have hoping to help her, and neglect myself.
I'm at the point now however when desperation has taken over. I'm not complaining about the esthetics of my teeth, naturally that's part of it, but it's the pain that I can no longer contend with.
I've spoken with dentists and I'm looking at $20 - $30k in dental work. It's impossible. I can never get it done. I don't even own a car to get to and from dental apopintments, but I'll walk if need be. I'm literally a grown man in tears from the pain, I can't work, can barely talk. It's excruciating! I don't know if there are any philanthropic millionaires on this site, but I would forever be in your debt to whomever is capable of helping.
And, I don't even want charity, I'm more a giver than receiver, so when I'm well enough to work, however long it takes, I'll do everything in my power to help you, or someone else in the spirit of Paying It Forward.
It kills me to ask, but I've nowhere to turn. I kept thinking I'd be able to pay for it myself, but I never made enough, now I'm at the end of my rope and pray that the right person catches wind of my story and reaches out a helping hand.
Thank you for listening.
Good health to all
Jay
