Viral sensation Tatiana seeks help for dental treatment

Sixteen-year-old Tatiana McKenzie, was dubbed a social media sensation late last year after videos of her comedic conversations went viral, is seeking the public's assistance for her dental treatment.

Tatiana's mother, Simone Shecleworth, told THE WEEKEND STAR her daughter suffers from a range of dental ailments caused by an eczema medication prescribed when she was about six.

"First, her teeth started to get discoloured and blackish, then they got brittle. When she was brushing her teeth they would keep breaking off," Shecleworth explained.

Unaware that the medication was the cause of the maladies in her mouth, Tatiana continued taking the medication until she was 13. She was later informed by a dentist that she was suffering from side effects of the medication.

SIX EXTRACTIONS

Tatiana will have to undergo six extractions and 11 root canals. Afterwards, she will need to replace the extractions with dentures.

The extensive dental work will cost $616,500, which Tatiana's humble family cannot afford.

Tatiana, who is in fourth form at Ewarton High School, said the state of her teeth has been the most challenging part of her life.

"It makes me cry, daily. I feel bad because people bully and discriminate against me because of my teeth. They have told me, 'you teeth crawny, them have mildew and blacky blacky'," she said.

RENEWED CONFIDENCE

Tatiana said having her teeth fixed would give her renewed confidence to fully embrace her dreams of being a professional comedic entertainer.

To raise funds, the family sells chicken and has also partnered with an organisation to set up a Go Fund Me account, 'Tatty Dental Fund', so that interested persons can donate online.

However, Shecleworth noted that raising funds through Go Fund Me has been hampered because fake accounts were set up in the past, and money being solicited without the family's knowledge or consent.

Nonetheless, persons moved to assist can make donations in Tatiana McKenzie's name at Jamaica National Building Society, Linstead, account number 1008 118 0. E-mail her mother at Simoneworth4@gmail.com or call 807-3803.

Tatiana gained immense popularity last October after she was recorded speaking comically about her financial woes to a man she called 'Curry Dumpling'.