For Larry, caring for the person he loved always came before caring for himself.

After moving to Wisconsin in 2022 to be closer to family, Larry and his wife, Linda, hoped to face their health challenges surrounded by loved ones. But as Linda's kidney cancer and liver disease rapidly progressed, Larry became her primary caregiver. Between frequent hospital visits, mounting medical expenses, and the daily demands of caring for his wife, his own health—including his dental care—was pushed aside.

Like many caregivers, Larry never intended to neglect himself. He simply focused on the person who needed him most.

Over the next several years, he only sought dental treatment when the pain became unbearable. Limited dental insurance and ongoing financial strain made comprehensive care impossible. By the time Larry came to Mercy Dental Missions, a severe infection had caused significant facial swelling, and an evaluation revealed extensive damage that could no longer be repaired.

Then, life became even more difficult.

Earlier in 2026, Larry underwent an above-the-knee amputation of his right leg after worsening circulation problems. Just weeks later, he lost his wife after many years of marriage.

Today, Larry is learning to navigate life on his own while adapting to the loss of both his wife and his mobility. Without a prosthetic leg, he relies on a power scooter as he works to rebuild his independence one day at a time.

When Dr. Chelsea Kepler evaluated Larry, she determined that many of his remaining teeth could not be saved. His treatment plan included surgical extractions followed by dentures to eliminate infection, restore function, and allow him to smile again.

Through the Agape Grant Program, Mercy Dental Missions was able to provide financial assistance for some of Larry's surgical treatments and a new upper denture, making this life-changing care possible.

For Larry, this support means far more than replacing missing teeth. It means relief from pain and infection, the ability to eat more comfortably, renewed confidence to smile again, and the opportunity to regain a sense of dignity after an incredibly difficult chapter of life.

Larry's journey reminds us that life's hardships often come all at once. Illness, caregiving, financial strain, and loss can force even the strongest people to put their own health aside. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, volunteers, and community partners, Mercy Dental Missions is able to walk alongside patients like Larry, offering not only dental care, but compassion, hope, and the opportunity to begin again.

Today, Larry is taking the next step toward healing, with renewed hope, a healthier smile, and the reminder that he does not have to face life's challenges alone.