<div>My Journey Toward Healing
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<div>Hello everyone,
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<div>I am reaching out today with a heart full of hope, though it has taken me a very long time to find the courage to speak my truth.
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<div>For 28 years, I lived a life that many couldn't imagine. I was in a deeply abusive relationship—one defined by fear and silence. In 2021, my husband passed away, leaving me with 6 children on my own. While his passing finally freed me from the cycle of abuse, the "freedom" didn't come without its marks.
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<div>The Scars We Carry! 
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<div>We often talk about the emotional scars of domestic violence, but for me, there is a physical reminder that greets me every time I look in the mirror. During our years together, he struck me, causing severe damage to my teeth.
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<div>For a long time, I hid this damage with a closed-mouth expression. To me, that broken tooth wasn't just a dental issue; it was a constant painful of the person I used to be and the pain I endured. Every time I feel a twinge of discomfort or catch my reflection, I am pulled back into those 28 years of darkness.
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<div>Overcoming the Shame
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<div>I am tired of hiding. I have finally overcome the shame that kept me silent for nearly three decades. I want to be able to laugh with my children without feeling self-conscious. I want to look at a photo of myself and see a woman who survived, not a woman who was broken.
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<div>I want my children to see the best of me, the whole of me and not the mother who can’t smile. I want them to be proud of me as a mother who has conquered the worst and not a victim but a victor. 
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<div>Why I Need Your Help! 
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<div>The cost of dental reconstruction in the UK is at least £20000 to repair the damage, an amount that is simply impossible for a single mother to manage.
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<div>Because of this, I have decided to seek treatment in Turkey where the costs are significantly lower and the dream of a "New Smile" is actually attainable. My goal is to raise enough to cover the surgery, travel, and recovery.
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<div>Any contribution, no matter how small, is a step toward closing a chapter of pain and opening one of joy. If you cannot donate, simply share my story would mean the world to me.
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<div>Your support will help me to :
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<div> * Remove the physical reminder of 28 years of abuse.
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<div> * Eliminate the daily physical pain caused by the damage.
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<div> * Gain the confidence to start my life anew as a survivor.
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<div>Thank you for taking the time to read my story, for your kindness and for helping me find my smile again.
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<div>With gratitude 
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<div>Natasha
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The scars I carry 

The scars I carry

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