To read the aricle directly in the Marietta Daily Journal click here
Tosha Phillips gets a dental gift as she turns her life around
by Kathryn Malone
kmalone@mdjonline.com The Marietta Daily Journal
kmalone@mdjonline.com The Marietta Daily Journal
February 26, 2011 12:00 AM | 1909 views | 1 
| | 7 
| 
| 
| | 7 | | 
Tosha Phillips of Douglasville shows off her new smile thanks to Dr. Kirk Kimmerling of the Verde Pointe Dental Associates in west Cobb. Kimmerling recently replaced a blackened tooth that Phillips had for free as she works to turn her life around while completing the Family Dependency Treatment Court program.
Staff/Laura Moon
Staff/Laura Moon
The 35-year-old mother, who has been in rehabilitation at Mothers Making a Change treatment center for the last 14 months, will be getting a new tooth and a whiter smile in the next few weeks courtesy of Dr. Kirk Kimmerling of Marietta.
Phillips said her right front tooth has been broken and black for almost 15 years. While a pearly white smile excites her, Phillips said the self-confidence that smile will bring her could not have come at a better time.
"I'm in the process of changing my life to get my life back on track," Phillips said. "This is great for my self-esteem to be able to get out into the workforce and feel confident about myself."
Phillips said she was addicted to methamphetamine and marijuana, and finally got the assistance she needed in Judge Juanita Stedman's Family Dependency Treatment Court.
"My son was on probation and his officer noticed that things were going on with me, and she helped me," Phillips said. "She asked if I wanted to do anything. I said I wanted to try to get my son back on track. And she suggested drug court - which was a great thing."
Stedman said, "We got Tosha through her son being in trouble, and she was using. Some time ago, she wanted to leave treatment, but through the hard work of my FDTC team, she was convinced to not do so. She has truly turned it around."
A part of Stedman's program, Phillips, whose son is 17, was put in contact with Kimmerling through Stedman and Jim Reuther, a volunteer through Reconnecting Families, the nonprofit that supports the treatment court.
Kimmerling, who has been providing dental work for children at the Calvary Children's Home for the past 15 years, was eager to volunteer his time and efforts to Phillips and the treatment program. On Wednesday, he filed down Phillips' old front tooth and replaced it with a temporary one. She will get a new permanent tooth in a few weeks.
"It's my great pleasure to make a difference in people's lives and I enjoy helping through dentistry," Kimmerling said.
Stedman said she thought of Phillips for this opportunity because she knew it would give her the confidence needed to rejoin the workforce.
"She has truly turned it around," Stedman said. "Not only is she clean, but she is moving into her own apartment and is looked up to by her peers. She will be looking for a job and I knew having her teeth clean would give her confidence and dignity."
Wednesday also marked Phillips last day in treatment. She is moving into a new apartment in Douglasville and plans to look for a job in the area.
Born and raised in Smyrna, Phillips credits the treatment program for changing her life and vows to continue volunteering addiction and recovery peer specialist.
"I'd like to do public speaking too, but I have to work my way up," she said.
As she chats about her future, Phillips is quick to say how grateful she is for Kimmerling, Reuther, Stedman and all of the opportunities she has been given through the treatment program.
"I just really want to advocate for the program and show I am very grateful for Judge Stedman and Jim Reuther and Dr. Kimmerling - they really came together for me," Phillips said. "In the process of getting my life back this is a huge thing for me. This has just done wonders for my self-esteem."
Read more: The Marietta Daily Journal - Tosha Phillips gets a dental gift as she turns her life around
No comments:
Post a Comment