Our Third Deserving Diva, Shefije!

Shefije, definitely a Deserving Diva you want to meet!

We met Shefije last year through our Diva Nominations but it was just not quite her time. Little did she know, we never forgot who she was or what she does! When we received even more nominations for Shefije in 2011, we were convinced that this was the year she would get her smile back. She is a single mother of five children and this is what some say about her “Beyond her own family, Shefije is a warm, kind, supportive presence to many children and adults in our community. She is that mom who makes it to three class parties all at the same time and, somehow, helps to make all the parties better, by her help and by her spirit. For no special reason, Shefije commits small acts of kindness or gratitude for teachers and kids. Or, she shows up with needed school supplies. In seeing her interact in the cafeteria, hallways, and meetings, it’s clear that she is a true friend to many in our community. It is obvious that she knows and cares about what is happening in the families in our school. Shefije doesn’t have a lot of material things. What she has, she shares. Generously. She gives all that she can, all of the time.” Melissa Faulkner Snellville,GA. We are so excited that Shefije is a part of our 2011 Deserving Diva Makeover contest. We couldn’t ask for a better group of deserving ladies this year.
Stay tuned for more updates!

More about our Deserving Diva Nancy!

This photo is off Nancy with Dr. Williams as she called her husband to tell him the good news!

Nancy lives in Cumming where she and her husband Pastor a church. Nancy is a full time caretaker (for the last 7 years) to her mother who has stage 4 Alzeimers. Their son has been a missionary in Mexico where Nancy takes frequent mission trips to supply shoes, clothing and Bibles to needy people. Her heart is to bless those in need in any situation she can. She recieved Alzheimer’s Caregiver of the year in 2008 from a local radio station due to the extraordinary job she does caring for her parents. She teaches classes through their church and as a couple, her and Brownlee also do marriage counseling. They also started a congregation in Midtown Atlanta. Nancy teaches Bible Classes to teens concerning marriage and adulthood. Nancy has also written a book for teens about choosing a mate for life Brownlee and Nancy never turn anyone away that is in need. They have opened their house over and over to complete strangers and provided a place for them to live until they could get on their feet.

We are so excited to begin treatment with Nancy, she is truly a Deserving Diva. Check out our facebook page: Deserving Diva Foundation

Stay tuned for blogs from each of our Diva's as they embark on this new journey!

My First Appointment --Barbara King

I went in this week for my first appointment and for them to give me their assessment and what will be done.  I am going to leave that a mystery until the reveal but all I am going to say is that I was overwhelmed. I can't wait for you to know and see all that is going to be done.  I can already feel a difference in my teeth from my first cleaning.  WOW. My first appointment was a consultation and periodontal cleaning.

When I walked in the office I already knew and expected what a periodontal cleaning would be like. I had to have that deep cleaning done when Olivia was little. In fact, after it was done back then I swore never to return to that awful place because the pain was so excruciating.  So I had steeled myself to be ready for the worst and boy was I surprised. Jennifer took such great care with my teeth and took her time. I did not have any of the pain and she worked ferociously on my teeth. I knew for sure that for days my gums and teeth were going to be in a state of pain and soreness.  But to my surprise, I had a little discomfort but it was fabulous. She sent me home on a daily routine and I have been more than happy to keep it up.

So now I am waiting on my second appointment but it has really changed some things in me. I have had to see myself, really look at myself, something I have not done in a long while. I have forgotten about me and taking care of me.  So, this has also put me back into exercising and that did have pain to it.  But, it feels good. It feels like I am taking back a little bit of control in my world of chaos.

I have spent the last ten years juggling my life from the hospital to trying to have a normal one. Olivia has fought hard going through two transplants and so much that comes with Cystic Fibroses and Diabetes as well.  I have seen her grow into a beautiful young lady and now she needs me to get back that energy and self confidence I had long ago so when she is finally better from this transplant…well, you just never know how much fun our family can have.

Have a great week

Barb

Deserving Diva--Barbara King

I am sitting here in the quiet, well mostly quiet, trying to gather my thoughts on how overwhelmed I am at winning this award.  If you have ever been that person that never wins anything, I would be it. So to be honored with this award and opportunity has it's impact in just that I won.  But, as I came to realize the process of how the person is chosen, the nominations that were sent in, the heartfelt friends that I have, I am more overcome with awe than before.

I also, through this process had some time to get to know the staff at Suwanee Dental Care. When I walked into the building for the first time I had no idea what to expect.  But as I met the staff, walked around the offices I was amazed at how professional but also how much care everyone expressed.   I marveled at the wall that holds many, many pictures of mission trips that are taken to help others in poverty stricken countries. As I took it all in I realized that it wasn't a hard stretch to see why this office was holding this contest for the Deserving Diva Makeover. The heart of the staff and Doctors was evident throughout the building.

My last appointment was last week to go in for what we thought was a final evaluation. My week had already been so crazy because Olivia is in the hospital at Egleston. I had to get my Stepmom to meet me downtown, rush to Suwanee and then do a video interview.  I was so rushed and worried about being on time I did not have time to really think about this video interview I was supposed to participate in. I just knew I was going to mess the whole thing up in my rush.

In reality it was an interview and then the announcement. Dr. Williams had some final "questions" and was the one who told me I won. I remember being so nervous and thinking I hope I am answering all these questions correctly then all of sudden the questions became the announcement.  Wow.  I can't remember being so caught off guard and so shocked in all my life. I was able to call my husband and my daughter to hear both of them squeal and yell with excitement because of all people, they knew what this means to me and most of all my mouth.  In fact, all weekend every few minutes we would all say "hey Mom, you are getting your teeth fixed, woohoo".

I can say that I definitely had the need to get a dental makeover. Time and finances have taken a toll on my teeth over the last few years. So, when I eat, go out to eat with friends or talking with colleagues and friends I am constantly aware of my mouth. I have hid the pain, the suffering and the damage for years.  It has taken another toll as well, on my diabetes and my health. I have prayed for the last couple of years for a way to at least get the essentials done.  It is amazing to me how God had a plan and the plan not only included the essentials but also to have a full makeover so my whole mouth will have a renewed look and solid foundation for my teeth for a long time.

It is so hard to conceive still that I won. It seems so surreal. But, I am so thankful, so honored and so blessed to be a part of this process words cannot convey how I truly feel.

Barbara King, a Truly Deserving Diva

Barbara King, how do you start writing about such an incredible woman? She is the type of lady that you meet and she makes a lasting impression on your heart. We were touched by this woman from her first nomination and as they kept pouring in, we were more and more convinced that she was just the person to be one of our Deserving Diva’s in 2011.

She is a business owner, teacher, care giver, volunteer and Mother to a daughter of 14 who has been battling Cystic Fibroses her whole life. Barbara is also on the board of advisors at Egleston where her daughter Olivia has been spent more days last year then at home.

Barbara is a caring, giving person who is very involved in her church. The people that know her the best say that she is a light in their lives and you would never know that she has been under such stress. We agree that Barbara is a bright and joyful person who understand the meaning of giving back in it’s truest sense.

Congratulations Barbara! You are truly Deserving! Watch for more updates from Barbara and our other 2 Deserving Diva’s in 2011.

Suwanee Dental Care
www.suwaneedental.com
770-614-7300

Meet your 2011 Deserving Divas!

Meet Nancy Reaves! She is one of our 3 Deserving Divas! Yes, that's right, we are going to have 3 ladies this year! We got to tell Nancy yesterday that she will be the recipient of a smile makeover this year! Nancy won the caregiver of the year award as she is the full time caregiver for her mother who is in the 4th stage of alzeimers. Nancy, like Dr. Williams and his wife, takes regular mission trips overseas to give back internationally. She is the wife of a minister and they currently pastor a church in Cumming. What a wonderful lady!

Our 2nd Deserving Diva this year is Barbara King! Barbara has an incredible story and we are honored to have the opportunity to give her the smile she has always wanted. She has been an incredible pillar in the community and has been a great source of strength for her family. With a wonderful daughter who is cystic fibrosis, they spend more days in the hospital then at home. You would never know it when you meet Barbara, she is a bright star.

Last but certainly not least we have Shefije Lika.. a single mother of five incredible kids. Shefije had so many people nominate her, they told us she is so deserving of this and after meeting her, we think so too. She has given back to her community whether it's by working with Autistic kids, tutoring the underprivileged she is committed to teaching kids life skills.

We are proud to announce to you the three ladies we will be giving a smile makeover this year. We can't wait to share their stories, bios, videos, blogs and more! Stay tuned for updates on your Deserving Diva's of 2011! Check our "Deserving Diva" facebook page!

Where it all began..

The Deserving Diva Makeover Contest was founded in 2009 by Dr. Bill Williams of Suwanee Dental Care. He was looking for a way to give back by rewarding the women in our community who are exemplary but also have a great need for dental care. The first year, after several small announcements, hundreds of nominations poured in. With such an overwhelming response, in 2010, Dr. Williams granted 4 women the chance to have the smile they always dreamed of. With dramatic makeover results that changed the lives of Debra Montgomery, Patti Shiver, Gwendolyn Richardson and Heather Trompke, Dr. Williams whole heartedly made the decision to yet again accept nominations for a Deserving Diva. With yet again, hundreds of nominations pouring in, Dr. Williams has narrowed down his search for the Deserving Diva of 2011 by these criteria:

1. A pillar in the local community
2. Ability to have the work performed
3. A severe dental need

“This is one of the most difficult yet rewarding in my career as a dentist” said Dr. Williams. After reading through hundreds of nominations and narrowing it down to ten, Dr. Williams, Dr. Smith and Dr. Golik are ready to announce the Suwanee Dental Care 2011 Deserving Diva...

Stay Tuned!