Hello, my name is Brandi. I’m a 53 year old housekeeper. I’m single. My kids are grown and have moved away. I work 7 days a week most every week. It’s not easy work, but I am happy to help people. It’s very difficult to make ends meet with just one income these days. Especially as an older woman. I don’t go out. I take my lunch to work. I have not had a vacation in 25 years. My car is old, but paid for. After I pay the rent and utilities, I barely have enough money to buy a little food and put gas in the car. I don’t have savings currently because I had to spend it all on car repairs. Emergencies are not something I am prepared for. So, when I had a loose tooth, then another, I couldn’t afford to go to the dentist. Eventually I developed an abcess. I have had gum disease for most of my adult life. I went to the dentist and was advised that I should get my teeth pulled. I scoffed at this and didn’t return. It took a year for me to get the bill paid. They gave me an estimate of $25,000 just for the top plate ! It was then that I began to research options. Over time I’ve lost 6 more teeth. I get abcesses all the time. My heart Dr informed me that having these dental issues is extremely dangerous to leave untreated. He explained the coalition between heart health and dental health. I had no idea! Heart disease runs in my family. I don’t need any extra factors against me. I really need to take care of my dental health, so I cam lessen my risk of heart attack. Not only that , but I would like to be able to eat healthy foods again. I can barely chew anything now. My gums get inflamed ,and then it’s impossible to eat. Then there is my self confidence. It’s disappeared. I no longer smile like I always have. My joking demeanor has changed. I often feel self conscious meeting people or talking to anyone new. It has significantly affected my life in a negative way. I’m a happy person who loves to smile and make people laugh. Well, I used to be anyway. I have tried and succeeded in saving up money to put towards all the extractions more than once. That’s about the time that the car breaks down or I have to pay my taxes. It’s difficult to save when you make very little anyway. I am grateful for what I have. I don’t know anything other than struggling. Its always been that way. I keep my head up. I work hard. I say my prayers. I help people any way I can often. I do not ask people to help me. I do not expect that anyone I know would be able to So when I heard of this site, & that it was for people like me, I had a little happiness and hope . It made me smile again. If there are people with the financial means to change other less fortunate peoples lives through donation to their cause that are also willing to do this- that’s awesome! That’s refreshing! That could help bring a lot of people out of misery and sadness. For me it would be a dream come true and weight off my heart. I can’t think of a better way to spend my time than asking humbly for assistance. Crying and staying down won’t do much to better my situation. I would likebto he proactive in finding ways that I can get what I need. Hence my letter and my request tonight. I thank you for considering my case. God bless!