Hello,
My name is Niko, and I’ve always been someone who believed in hard work, self-reliance, and building a life I could be proud of. I never imagined I’d be in a position where I needed to ask for help. But here I am—because life had other plans.
My story starts early. When I was just one year old, my father died suddenly at 28 from a massive heart attack. My mother was left alone with three young children and some Social Security survivor benefits. When I was five, she remarried—but unfortunately, the man she married was violent and cruel. From a very young age, I knew I could only depend on myself. At 17, I left home and moved to New York City in 1987 to make my own way.
And I did. I built a life I was proud of. I worked hard—sometimes two jobs at once—and created a sense of security for myself. But there were two things I didn’t factor in: my health, and a global pandemic.
In 2006, I was prescribed a life-saving medication. It was originally a small tablet that dissolved under my tongue and worked beautifully. But six years ago, the manufacturer changed the formula to a dissolvable strip—like those Listerine breath strips. Over time, something devastating happened: my teeth began to decay and fall out. The connection wasn’t obvious at first, and I carried so much shame, believing it was somehow my fault.
Eventually, I learned I wasn’t alone—there is now a class-action lawsuit related to this medication. While it brought some relief to know I wasn’t to blame, that didn’t fix my teeth.
Meanwhile, the pandemic hit. I work in the restaurant industry and didn’t work for nearly three years. I maxed out my credit cards and took out a small loan just to pay for painful extractions and basic dentures. The dentures are loose and don’t fit well. The bottom set doesn’t work at all anymore, and I can only wear the top piece—which is also ill-fitting. Eating, speaking, smiling—it’s all affected. I wear a mask everywhere, not because of COVID, but because of the deep embarrassment I feel.
Now that restaurants have reopened, I’m working again—but earning 30% less than I was pre-pandemic. I’m applying for other jobs, but at every interview, the mask is a question. I’ve tried explaining, but I’ve never been called back. I understand—who wants to hire a server without teeth, even if they wear a mask?
All I need is $18,000. This will cover the cost of proper dental implants and restore both my health and my dignity. I’ve done everything I can on my own—but this time, I need help.
If you can give anything, even a little, I will be forever grateful. And when I’m back on my feet—and I will be—I promise to pay it forward. I will come back to this very site and help someone else who’s scared and struggling, just like I am now.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring.
With love and hope,
Niko
paypal.me/nikofrankbauer