For a long time I was in a dark place as I fell into the temptations of drugs. I allowed myself to succumb and live in this darkness for too long, but not anymore! I am proud to say with the help of love and support from those who care about me I was able to crawl out of that darkness and find sobriety again. It was something I had wanted for so long but just didn’t know how to do on my own. It’s not something I am proud of but it is the truth and part of that truth is the fact that after so many years of use my teeth are ruined. Using drugs does enough on its own to ruin a person’s smile but being depressed and having little to no motivation to care for myself just added to the damage being done.

At my first visit to the dentist, after avoiding it for years, the doctor gave me news that shook me to my core. The high level of infection had turned to Sepsis and was effecting my blood and heart. He said had I not come in when I did I could have lost my life in a matter of weeks. From these years of self neglect and addiction, I am left with a smile that terrifies me and one that I am embarrassed and ashamed of. In fact I do my best to not smile. I am afraid to laugh, I’m afraid people will and judge me or be disgusted and I feel like it is holding me back from moving forward and being the best I can be. I’m a better person when I genuinely smile.

Now that I am here, I am trying to take the steps I need to move forward with my life and I don’t believe I am fully capable of doing that until I fix myself in all ways including my smile. It is a horrible reminder of the dark place I was in and I can barely look at myself in the mirror anymore because of it. I want to be confident with myself as I aim to go back to school and begin my journey towards a career. I want to be with those that I love and to laugh as hard as I can with out covering my mouth. And finally, I want to sit and embrace my children and smile when they tell me stories about their day or want to take a picture with me or simply to smile as I tell them I love them.

 I have a wonderful dentist who has given me hope that my smile can be completely restored. I am so grateful for him and his team for the willingness to take this on knowing he is about to change a life.  

Thank you for your consideration to support me on this journey. 

Love, Abby