My name is Dustin I’m starting this to help my girlfriend. She wrote her own letter and I will be adding that.

Hi, I’m LaDonna.

I’m 37 years old, and life hasn’t been easy. I’ve struggled with health issues for as long as I can remember. Three years ago, I experienced two life-changing events: I lost my mom, and I was diagnosed with Alpha-gal syndrome — a severe meat allergy that has completely changed how I eat, where I go, and even what products I can safely use. It’s been an incredibly difficult adjustment, and I’ve battled depression along the way.

With everything going on, I put my dental health on the back burner. I was on a long waiting list for oral surgery, and that became my excuse to delay getting help. But recently, I decided to take a big step forward. This past Wednesday, I had my bottom teeth removed, and soon I’ll be having the remaining top teeth taken out as well.

It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was necessary. My teeth caused constant pain — not just in my mouth, but in my ears, my head, and even in the way I ate, spoke, and thought. I’m hopeful this will finally bring some relief. I’m proud of myself for doing it. But the reality is, now I’m left without a smile.

Because of Alpha-gal, many of the foods I can eat aren’t soft. And without dentures, I won’t be able to eat much at all. More than that, I’ve lost my ability to smile at a stranger, a friend, or a neighbor — and that breaks my heart.

My smile, my sense of humor, and my love for cooking are what get me through the day. Without my teeth, so much of that feels out of reach. Unfortunately, I can’t afford dentures on my own, and I’m asking for help.

Thank you for taking the time to hear my story. Just having someone listen means more than you know.

— LaDonna