My story began about 10 years ago when I lost my mother to a brain tumour. This was very hard for me to cope with as I was very close to her. A year later my father passed from cancer. Although I tried my best to cope it was very difficult for me as I had only a few close friends that understood me. Eventually I stopped calling them as I saw no point in bothering them with my sad state. Over the years I slid into a very deep depression. The only friend that I could really rely on was my dog. It helped me having her as it gave me a reason to function. Sadly she died two years later. I felt like my world had collapsed and my depression worsened. Although the Doctor prescribed me anti depressants these didn't really help. My world became smaller and smaller. Living on my own without any support I slowly gave up all the normal things that others did. This included not going out any more and not bothering to get dressed, I just sat about in my night clothes all day. Eventually I didn't bother to get out of bed. I would stays there for days only going to the toilet when needed. I barely ate or washed.

My health suffered too and I did not see a dentist for many years. Over time I lost all my teeth to decay and gum disease. Ashamed of how I looked I would avoid looking in the mirror. When I did I got a shock, I did not recognize myself, I looked like a person that had been living rough for months. Finally, I found some strength and sought help, I was put under a mental health practitioner. Slowly through many sessions I began to come to terms with my loss. Today I am able to cope much better than I did, but sadly I had lost all my teeth and hated the way I looked. I never smile at people. I hide my lack of teeth my not engaging in long conversations and wearing a scarf over my nose and mouth. Finally I saw a dentist and after my mouth was treated I was fitted with dentures. This should have made me happy but I cannot get on with them. The fitting isn't perfect and even after adjustments they are not comfortable. They make me gag most of the time and I find myself not bothering with them as they are very troublesome. I am only able to eat soft foods, anything that requires chewing is not an option for me. My dream is to get teeth implants and to regain my smile. These are very costly and I do not have the money. If I could raise the cost it would change my life and I could go back to being the person I once was. If you could be so kind as to help my cause it would really put a smile back on my face. Thank you for taking the time to read my cause.