Smile Emergency Fund

Hi. My name is Cathy. I'm a self-employed artist / sign maker and this is my current story.

Aggressive gum disease has kept me from truly smiling for most of my adult life. The disease has advanced until the options are very few. I've had 6 teeth removed and the rest need to go as well to finally end this nightmare. Implants are crazy expensive and require bone grafts that may not even work, so I've decided to go the denture route. For the most recent work (4 molars removed and bone scraping), I had to finance with the dentist at monthly payments that I cannot afford. Plus, the cost of finishing the work is overwhelming to say the least and completely out of reach for me financially. I've reached the stage where I cannot move forward with the next steps without help. I'm afraid the current abscesses cannot go unaddressed for much longer. I work hard, am an honest person and I just need help with this as it accelerated to emergency status so quickly. I can only work part time as I have also recently become partially disabled due to ankylosing spondylitis. Most people *even family* who know me, don't even know that, because I am a very private person by nature, and I don't want anyone to pity me due to a disability.

I know times are difficult for most these days, and if things are too difficult for you to donate, I’ll gladly take any good vibes, energy or a kind share of this post. This journey will be long and painful, but with a little help and kindness, I hope to see it through to the other side with a new, healthy smile.

I would not even consider starting this fundraiser if I had not already exhausted all other ways to generate the funds needed in the timeframe available given the infections. Credit cards are not an option for me since becoming disabled has altered my qualifying status for such.

Well, this is my story and this is me asking for help as much as I hate to do so. I really look forward to TRULY smiling again no matter what it takes to get there.

Please donate if you are able and/or share if you have the time! Everything helps and I will be eternally grateful for your generosity and support. For any donation over $100, I'd gladly send you a 12x16 watercolor as a thank you!