What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity

Hi, most of you will know me as 'The Tattooed Gardener' and some of you just know me as, Paul. For those that don't know me, my professional life has been colourful, and diverse. From working in my parents music store, to my time as a Bell Relay Operator, relaying conversations for people that were deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing, from my time as a hair dresser, or as an employment counsellor, the youth and education coordinator at the Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia, to Atlantic Canadian Regional Manager of a Federally funded job creation program. I've worked with new Canadians, At Risk youth, adults with barriers to employment, older adult workers, transitioning to new careers, and individuals with criminal records, and recently released from detention centres.

Professionally, I've had to pivot a few times, and reinvent myself. Most of my jobs had the common thread of helping people. After 10+ years in Employment Counselling and Job Development, I decided to take the advice I usually gave my clients. What do you love doing? Do that!

Although I'd never taken a course in Horticulture, I had been a gardener all my life, and figured working at a Garden Centre was a good start. In the Spring of 2010 I started part time at Plantworld, then got a seasonal gardening job with the City of Toronto, maintaining some of the historic gardens in the west end of Toronto. 8 years after starting at Plantworld I was hired as the Curatorial Gardener at the Toronto Zoo, overseeing one of the largest tropical plant collections in Canada. After 2.5 years I made the difficult decision to leave the Zoo, and was offered the Director of Horticulture position at the Toronto Botanical Garden just as a pandemic isolated everyone to their homes.

Making the front page of the Globe and Mail, I was dismissed without cause, from a position I loved. 2 days later, my landlord advised us that our home of 10 years, and my garden, a garden that I loved, a garden that was an escape from reality when the world didn't make sense was going to be put up for sale. I began filming the episode of 'Visionary Gardeners'. And began trying to figure out what the universe had in store for me next. Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% what you do about it. Needless to say the last couple of years have knocked me to my knees a few time, and been very challenging. I've always tried to maintain a good outlook, a positive attitude, and see the silver lining in the darker days.

I decided that I no longer wanted my career to be determined by the whim of someone else... after many sleepless nights, and soul searching, I decided to register 'The Tattooed Gardener' as a business. Doing quality garden maintenance, garden consulting, and garden coaching. Everything started falling into place. That year I was booked to speak more than 60 times at garden clubs, at the Landscape Designers Conference, the Landscape Ontario Congress, the Rotary Club, the retired teachers association, and PROBUS, inspiring people of all ages and experience levels. Last year I Incorporated my business, 'The Tattooed Gardener Inc.'

So why on earth am I asking for help.... I'll start at the beginning... Growing up, my teeth were a bit of a mess, I had braces, many extractions, a retainer, more extractions, permanent wires, and more...

Research has shown that tooth movement causes at least small changes in the shape and length of the roots in ALL patients. In 98% however, these changes are undetectable...In about 2% of patients, however, obvious root shortening occurs during routine orthodontic treatment.

I'm one of the 2%... So short roots.... No big deal... Right?

In October 0f 2012, I weighed 315 lbs... I was diagnosed as having Type 2 Diabetes, I was on medication for high blood pressure, I was suffering from frequent migraines. and I decided it was time to do something about it. I spoke to my Doctor, and asked about Gastric Bypass Surgery. I was referred to the Bariatric program. Following the referral, a year long process of meeting with Dieticians, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Dieticians, Nurses, Doctors, and countless tests. Every one needed to sign off in order to have the surgery.

October 17th 2013 my Surgery day had arrived. I understood the surgery, I knew what to expect, I knew the risks. The surgery was a success.... The Diabetes was gone, The high-blood pressure gone, the frequency of migraines drastically reduced. Over the next couple of months I went from 315 lbs to 165 lbs. I lost a total of 150 lbs, 11" off my waist, and aside from dumping syndrome a few times (Which still happens occasionally), I have had relatively few side effects. For the last 11 years, I have kept the weight off. I have no doubt that this surgery saved my life.

One of the known side effects of the surgery are dental issues, 2 weeks ago on my 47th Birthday, I sat in my dentists chair. I have had several teeth become lose and fall out in the past couple of weeks, I have had trench mouth, and significant bone loss, which has resulted in advanced Periodontal disease. On top of that... my temporary bridge that was to last 3 months, that lasted 3.5 years has recently cracked. The combination of shortened roots from the braces, and bone loss from the Gastric bypass... Has resulted in the perfect storm.

I was told I didn't have any choice, there is not enough bone to graft to, there is not enough bone to do implants. Full dentures was my only option. I'm 47 years old.... I could feel my anxiety rising. I decided to get a second opinion. I made an appointment with Smile Again Dental, and went in for a free consultation. It was then I realized how much of a negative impact this was having on my every day life and ultimately my health.

They asked questions and as I was answering I realized that I had changed what and how I ate, because my teeth were so loose. I've been avoiding many foods i used to love. I realized I had stopped going out and socializing, even with close friends and I had been avoiding taking on any new clients, and cancelled business meetings. When in social situations I rarely talk, unless absolutely necessary. None of that was me....

Smile Again Dental did a 3D scan of my teeth, the dentist explained that I do have advanced periodontal disease. That everything my dentist had said was in fact true, except that they do implants differently than others. That I have just enough bone for the surgery, and that the periodontal disease would continue to deteriorate until my teeth were removed. Everything would be completed in one visit Removal, cleaning, posts, and implants. I would then be sent home to heal, and get used to things, at 3 months i would return to ensure that the healing is going as anticipated, and at 6 months, my permanent teeth would be switched in.

Speaking is a big part of my job, connecting with people is a big part of my job. Being comfortable in my own skin has been a lifelong battle, from gastric bypass, to LASIK surgery, uvulopharingopalitoplasty to get rid of sleep apnea, without having to rely on a c-pap machine,

The quote to complete the dental work is $54,544. Being self employed, is not without its challenges, It certainly doesn't come with dental benefits.

Several of my friends requested that I set up a G0fund me. If you don't have the means, maybe you could share this fundraiser, if you do have the means, It would be appreciated more than I could put into words. My Tattooed Gardener Social media posts reach Millions of people a week. If you are someone that has enjoyed my posts, or enjoyed the page, please consider helping out. Every little bit helps, and adds up!

All donations will go directly to the dentist to bring back my smile. I will be holding an online plant auction, and doing online plant consultations and designs in an attempt to get the funds together. Thank you in advance for caring, thank you for reading my story, and thank you for contributing to bring back my smile... You all mean the world to me.