First, let me apologize for the graphic nature of several of the pictures on my profile. I know it's sickening. I know it's grotesque. I know this because everytime I look in the mirror, it is what I see. These pictures are WHO I AM. My dental disease consumes every aspect of my life....every single one. It is who I am daily. It defines what I do, my limitations on my goals...everything that I am...every single day. The set up said to put a picture that represents who you are. That is what I have done. I am so debilitated by this that in all honestly, this picture is what i feel daily represents who I AM. I'm sorry. Hopefully this pic will catch someones attention someday and someone will find it in their hearts to help me before it's too late. Please see some thoughts, and my story, below... Thank you for your time... and your prayers!

Am I going to die from severe dental disease and not watch my kids grow up because I can' afford dental care? I taste abscess every day. I am in excruciating pain every day and seeking narcotic pain pills daily (not prescribed) to help me deal with the pain.  All because I can’t afford it and Michigan Medicaid won't help. Previous history of congestive heart failure and previous cardiologist said my teeth could kill me someday. Family history of severe dental disease and people in my family that had it had brain aneurysms...could this be correlated... also my mental state is SEVERELY AFFECTED. My KIDS ARE SEVERELY AFFECTED. SEE MY MYSPACE BLOG BELOW:

"That's My Mommy...She doesn't Smile"

The title statement refers to a line I have heard my 3 oldest children say to their friends...and I fear that someday my 18 month old will as well. It breaks my heart that they think I don't smile because I'm not happy, that I don't share in their everyday joys and wonders, that I must be "mad" all the time or sad...because I don't smile.

Since I was a young child I have had problems with my teeth. I genetically inherited very twisted, misshapen teeth and was always referred to as vampire girl, yuck mouth...you name it I heard it. I was always very diligent about mouth care, but no matter what  I did. It never helped. Every trip to the dentist was met with 10 or more cavities, despite brushing 4-5 times a day and constant care. No matter what I did. It was like fighting a losing battle. I was supposed to get orthodontia but well...my parents got divorced and while my dad worked at GM he also had a few bad habits...drinking, cocaine and women... and the day my mother and I sat in the orthodontists office waiting for him for hours, we finally realized he wasn't coming. This after she as a waitress came up with her 2 grand by sacrificing everything for months on end... but daddy never did come up with his 2 grand towards the co pay. I wasn't important enough.  We later found out that I had also inherited a genetic disorder of extremely weak enamel...it can be peeled off and/or chipped at the slightest brush. My mom had all of hers removed at age 23 due to this. I am 30.

I am in constant excruciating pain. I cannot afford to fix my teeth or have them removed and get dentures. I've had dental insurance in the past through old jobs...but even then we could not afford the co pays and deductibles. My kids always come first. Every SINGLE tooth I have is broken off at the root or split in half. I have exposed roots in my mouth and have constant abscesses draining into my mouth. I knows its disgusting. I know its horrible. I see the way people look at me...people treat me like a pariah, like some sort of trashy freak because of my teeth. Some people call me meth head cuz this disorder in my mouth has made me resemble a meth addicted person. My kids HATE having me come to functions at school because of my teeth and the way they get picked on because of it. God..it was bad enough that I got picked on for them as a child..I don't want my babies to get it too!! So I'm not nearly as involved as I want to be..as they want me to be.

 Not a day goes by that I don't get very sad because of my teeth. It has affected every area of my life both as a child and now as an adult. I am not taken seriously in the community because I don't look the part of an upstanding citizen, I don't get taken seriously at the jobs I have had...that is when I can find one because I can't interact professionally on the job with my teeth like this and no one wants to hire me... plus I am home with a emotionally impaired ADHD 13 year old, "normal" 8 year old twin girls and a developmentally delayed 22 month old.   It even affects the quality of men that I have dated... because honestly, first impressions are everything and no decent man wants to take a chance and see beyond it..they can't.....we all know that... A smile is everything and never in my life have I experienced what it feels like to smile and not be self conscious.
If I had a new smile, it would not just change my life, it would change many. My children's...their friends...people in the community because I would be more involved and am an activist at heart and am studying human services to someday work to help people like myself and for issues like those on this board and facing our world today. I could make a huge difference in many lives if only I could reflect in my smile who I really am...

Can you please give my babies a chance at a happy, involved mom who isn't writhing around in bed in severe pain at least 8 times a month? I could LITERALLY DIE from these infected teeth and no one will help me. Michigan Medicaid doesn't pay for dental right now and I cant afford it on 600 a month income as I am home with the kids for now due to disabilities and lack of childcare for an out of control 13 year old.....they take precedence...they always have.... and I want my teeth fixed more for them than for me...so they can never again say those words that turn my blood to ice "That's my mommy...she doesn't smile." I want to be active at their schools, in their clubs, in their sports..in everything.... but they won't let me.....they are too embarrassed. I don't blame them. I've become  a hermit, hiding here in my mothers house, where we mostly stay (Side Note: we are considered couch homeless and have to bounce around a little bit due to finances. Waitng on homeless section 8 program in my county to get their funding again...top of list..can't WAIT!)  I just want to be the mom they want me to be. The mom that is bursting inside of me.... but the mom that gets the looks that make me want to crawl under a table when I greet someone and gradually have to open my mouth to smile or talk and their eyes move towards my mouth slowly at first and then down mroe quickly and then you can see the look of disgust flash across their faces, even when they try to hide it.. It's so hard to explain. Unless you've experienced it, you can't understand. Trust me, the emotional pain is unimaginable and it NEVER leaves you. It's usually the first thing i think about when i wake up and the last thing that crosses my mind and heart as I fall asleep...

Teeth can't be fixed according to my old dentist... Hell there isn't much left too fix as most are at the root...They have to be pulled and than dentures or implants. I've priced it at about $4000 for dentures.... can anyone please help me??  I've got pictures I could upload of my teeth to prove myself... but trust me you will be nauseated. Email me at swell628@gmail.com or look for me on yahoo or aim under the same if somehow, someway you can help me or know someone who can!! This could honestly be a matter of life or death...

Please help me. I don't generally ask for help...but I'm hoping someone out there will help this single mom.. and help me make my community a "better community". I'd be sure to pay it forward.

 Is anyone out there?? Help me be the woman and mommy I am bursting to be!

Thanks for listening. I hope you help me and don't just think of me as another sob story to pass over. I'm scared of what I’ll do if things don't change and soon. /truly scared.

Stacie Age 30
Perry Michigan
swell628@gmail.com