My name is Tanisha, and I've battled with Sickle Cell Anemia all my life. It's a blood disease that affects the shape of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of the body. I'm a mother of one; she's 8 years old and often asks, 'Mommy, why don't you smile?' or 'Where are your teeth?' It breaks my heart because 38 is still young.

A year ago, social security cut all of my benefits plus half of my insurance. Right now, it's hard getting by day to day, let alone paying for this expensive dental care. This journey has been a traumatic experience for me. This has been a damper on my confidence; I don't smile the same anymore. I just want to feel positive about myself. Because my story does encourage people all over, speaking engagements I wanna walk in the room and own it.