Woman from Elandspoort’s dream is to be able to smile with confidence
"My husband and I are living from a disability fund. We can barely pay the bills. There has never been money for luxuries."
For years, a 52-year-old woman from Elandspoort in the west of Pretoria, has been self-conscious about her smile.
Thelma Muller has a fear of being in a crowd as she is embarrassed about the state of her teeth. Her greatest dream is to be able to walk into a room full of people with a smile on her face.
Her irregular bite is causing major difficulty with gum recession which is beginning to affect the way her teeth are wearing down.
Speaking to Rekord, you can hear in her voice that her life path has not been an easy one.
Thelma is estranged from her two sisters. They [the three daughters] were placed in a children’s home after growing up with an abusive father. They lost their mother 19 years ago and she lost the use of her left arm after she fell through a window when she was a little girl.
Thelma and her husband Daniel (56) are one of 175 families which the non-profit organisation, Careson Angels looks after.
“My husband and I are existing on a disability fund. We can barely pay the bills. There has never been money for luxuries, but we get along with what we have,” she said.
Daniel suffers from heart problems and has been admitted to hospital twice after two minor heart attacks.
“He needs to follow a special diet which is not always possible due to financial issues,” Thelma said.
“I have been on a waiting list for more than two years and yet no one seems to see my desperation need to be able to fix my dental problems.
“I’m never one to complain or ask for help,” she said.
Going forward, Thelma is looking forward to seeing what a new smile will look like once procedures are finally complete.
“My husband Daniel sees me every day, so I’m not sure that he notices as much as other people seem to. It feels like I’m being slandered and humiliated behind my back. I think that is the reason why I don’t want to leave home.”
Carlene Smith of Careson Angels said that a dental procedure will mean so much to the Muller family.
“If there might be a dentist or an angel who can assist Thelma, it would be sincerely appreciated. To live like this cannot be pleasant at all. Help us to make a difference where it is needed. What is common to us, is something great for them,” said Smith.
Some of Careson Angels’ greatest needs at this stage are food for 175 families, blankets and baby supplies for 21 babies every month (milk, diapers, wipes, porridge, soap, purity and rooibos tea) as well as toiletries for the families in their care.
Please contact Careson Angels for any queries on 072 651 6163.
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