Hi! My name is Randy and I'm a veteran of the armed forces. I did my tour of duty in the early '80s. I witnessed some things in the military that caused me to have severe PTSD. I fought with the VA for years before they finally awarded me a 70% service-connected pension. I have the best healthcare through the VA. I mean, they really take care of me in that department. But when it comes to dental, you have to be 100% service-connected. So after the service, I kept up with my dental care the best that my finances would let me. I got out of the military with an honorable discharge and adjusted to civilian life. I'm divorced with 2 older children. I live in Knoxville and just got my own home.

The VA prescribed me Buprenorphine and Naloxone 8mg, 3 times a day. I have been on this medication for 13 years for pain management. But what the VA did not inform me about was that the medication would affect my teeth and gums. The medicine has made my teeth loose, and then they fall out. I have had bad teeth for years. I approached the VA about getting my teeth fixed, and they said I needed to be 100% to have them fixed. So out of my pension, I would put a little back to get enough money to get dentures. When I finally had enough, I went to Affordable Dentures and got evaluated. They did an impression and scheduled me for a total extraction of my teeth. When I went back to have my teeth extracted, they just numb you; they do not put you to sleep. When he went to numb me, the pain was so excruciating that I couldn't deal with it. They told me that I needed to be put to sleep to have them taken out. So I was referred to Tennessee Valley Oral Surgeons, and they quoted me a price of $5300 to put me to sleep and extract 22 teeth. I already have my dentures that I got through Affordable Dentures. I just need to have my teeth extracted. I have found a place that will do it for $3800, but who has $3800 in this day and time just laying around?

I've been trying to put back again to get this money together. I can't eat like I should because I can't chew because my teeth and gums hurt. I'm asking for a little help so I can be put to sleep and have my teeth extracted and to get my dentures that will help me to be able to eat solid foods again. This is starting to take a toll on my health because I can't get the nutrition that I need, so I'm asking if you can help, please donate to my cause. Every donation will help tremendously. Thank you for listening to me. God bless.