Please help a father smile again

My Story: A Father, Fighter, and Now Asking for Help

Hi, my name is Connor, and I never imagined I’d find myself in this position — sharing my story and asking for help. But here I am, reaching out with hope.

For nearly 20 years, I’ve been battling lupus (SLE), a chronic illness that has turned my life upside down. It began with a blood clot (DVT), followed by joint pain, and eventually, my kidneys started to fail. I underwent chemotherapy to try and save them. Over time, I’ve also developed severe arthritis, and just a few years ago, I had to have a mechanical heart valve fitted.

I used to be healthy and active — I loved playing football, worked shift work for over 15 years, and was building a beautiful life with my amazing wife and children. But this disease slowly stripped so much of that away. I was medically retired at 42, and now rely on 15 tablets a day just to manage my condition. My mobility is limited, and most days, just getting out of bed is a struggle.

One of the hardest things I’ve had to deal with lately is the state of my teeth. Years of medication and illness have taken a toll, and I’ve been quoted $15,000 for the dental work I need. I’ve stopped smiling — even around my kids — because they’ve started to notice that something is wrong with daddy’s teeth. I barely leave the house anymore, and I avoid talking to people out of embarrassment and shame.

This isn’t easy to share, but I’m hoping that with your help, I can regain a small piece of the life I used to have — to smile again, to feel a bit more like myself, and to not feel like I have to hide from the world.

Any support you can offer means more than I can say. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

With gratitude,

Connor