I am raising funds for my son Michael's dental needs. Here is what he has to say:

Hi, Everyone,

I've learned the hard way that sometimes the biggest obstacles in life pile on top of each other until you feel stuck. For me, the past few years have been filled with challenges: the loss of my brother, a late diagnosis of autism that finally explained many of my lifelong struggles, and ongoing health setbacks. While I've been working hard to understand myself better and move forward, my dental situation has been one of the biggest barriers to healing and living fully.

Previous implant failures have left me with remaining hardware in my mouth, which has already caused multiple infections, including one dangerously close to my fractured sinus cavity. Because of bone graft rejections, both my upper and lower teeth need full replacement. While there are cheaper options on paper, they're not realistic for me. I've tried a removable upper denture and found it unbearable. The sensory discomfort, the adhesives, and the inability to eat or speak normally leave me so discouraged that I can't bring myself to wear it. I know that "click-in" style dentures would come with the same issues—constant discomfort that destroys my appetite and keeps me from using them at all. (Information at the bottom about the procedures needed and their costs.)

That's why this surgery, with permanent implants, isn't just a preference—it's the only viable path forward for me. Without it, I face more infections, worsening health, and continued retreat from the world. With it, I'll regain my ability to eat, to smile, and to engage with people without feeling held back.

I'm not someone who's been good at asking for help—most of my life I avoided it, believing self-reliance was the only way. But the truth is, I've only made it this far because of the friendship, patience, and kindness of others—especially the women in my life who believed in me even when I couldn't. So I'm learning to ask, even if it's hard.

If you choose to help, please know that I want to give something back in gratitude. For every donor, I'll create a piece of art—something personal, to say thank you in the best way I know how.

I'm here, still fighting because of the people who showed up for me. And right now, I need your help .

More information about what specifically the money is for:

The full treatment will take place over four visits over the next year. The first visit will remove the failed hardware and place new bone grafts ($4500) along with constructing and fitting interim dentures (an additional $12, 690) so I can maintain a soft diet while healing.

The second visit (($4,310) will include soft tissue grafts, installation of new structural hardware, and placement of the implant abutments ($4,666).

The third visit ($11,132) will be the placement of the final fixed implant denture ($25,000), fully restoring function and appearance.

The fourth and final visit will include delivery of a custom mouth guard ($636) to protect the new implants long-term.

Every stage is medically necessary to stop ongoing infections, correct bone loss, and give me a permanent, functional smile and the ability to eat food beyond a soft diet.