Mandy joined the Air Force in 1975 shortly after graduating high school.  Prior to this, she had been an EMT and an active participant in the ROTC.  She worked diligently as a nurse in the Air Force, carrying and treating wounded soldiers.  In 1977, due to a series of unfortunate events, Mandy was honorably medically discharged with PTSD and back problems from carrying litters.

Mandy continued to have back pain after being discharged.  She underwent three back surgeries at various VA clinics but continues to have pain.

As the years went by, Mandy’s dental health declined.  Being on a fixed income, she was not able to afford routine and preventative dental care.  It wasn’t long before she was in pain and having a very difficult time eating due to the status of her teeth.

At 40 years old, her dental pain was too much to handle. Teeth that were once strong and healthy were now decayed with a hopeless prognosis. With no other options, she went to Barksdale Air force Base and begged them to pull all of her teeth so she wouldn’t have to live in pain every day.  She was informed that due to her low income, she qualified for extractions and dentures.   It was here that Mandy received her first set of dentures.

Mandy was able to move on with her life, but would soon face more challenges.  At 52 Mandy lost her vision in both eyes due to complications of what was later diagnosed as temporal arteritis.  Unfortunately, this damage was permanent.

At 53, in late 2010, Mandy experienced yet another misfortune.  Her dog somehow got hold of her dentures and completely destroyed them.   Mandy had no money to replace these dentures and her diet soon suffered as a result.  Vegetables and fruits were no longer an option.  She searched diligently to try and find a way to get new teeth, but it was to no avail.  About 6 months later, she saw her physician who told her she needs to improve her diet as it was negatively affecting her diabetes.  She went to the VA dental clinic but was told that she could not receive care because she did not have a full pension from the Air Force.

A month later, her physician found out about the Sgt. Clint Ferrin Dental Clinic and gave her a flier.   She eagerly had a friend fill out the application for her.  When she heard that she was approved and that she would receive new dentures at no cost, she was elated.  She called all of her friends to let them know she was going to be able to have teeth again.

The day her new dentures were delivered, she had the student dentist take pictures on her phone so she could send them to all of her friends.  Mandy expressed gratitude not only for her new smile and improved ability to eat, but also for the kindness she was shown, and the optimism she felt while being treated at the Sgt. Clint Ferrin Dental Clinic.