free dental clinic.

i. Brooke Taylor, front center, and Vincent Guevara, front right, perform dental work on a patient during the California Dental Association Foundation’s free dental clinic at the Solano County Fairgrounds in Vallejo, Calif.

ii. Dr. Janice Chan, left, places a new set of dentures into Roy Billings' mouth during the California Dental Association Foundation's free dental clinic at the Solano County Fairgrounds in Vallejo, Calif. The Sacramento resident was one of more than 1,000 people who took advantage of the free dental clinic at the Solano County Fairgrounds. An estimated 800 dental professionals donated their time and talents. “I can’t put it into words,” Billings said as he was getting ready to exit and head off for the Buckhorn in Vacaville and enjoy tri-tip.

iii. Volunteers care for patients during the California Dental Association Foundation’s free dental clinic at the Solano County Fairgrounds in Vallejo, Calif.

iv. A set of dentures is prepared during the California Dental Association Foundation’s free dental clinic at the Solano County Fairgrounds in Vallejo, Calif.

david lew.

This is David Lew. He is a professional comedian undergoing treatment for thyroid cancer.

These images are © 2014 Fairfield Daily Republic and may not be reprinted or used without permission.

heart trouble. 

Briggette Schilling kisses her daughter, Aria, at their home in Vacaville. Aria had a procedure for a correction for pulmonary artery stenosis on Dec. 4., 2013. A week before she was set for heart surgery her health insurance denied her coverage for the procedure. Schilling's parents campaigned successfully to reverse their decision.

This image is © 2014 Fairfield Daily Republic and may not be reprinted or used without permission.

a male surviving breast cancer.

this image is © 2013 Fairfield Daily Republic and may not be reprinted or used without permission.

left blind and deaf by bacterial meningitis, liam learns new ways to communicate.

Liam was diagnosed with Bacterial Meningitis in January 2012. Before the diagnosis, Liam was a healthy and talkative 3-year-old. Following an 11-week ordeal, Liam survived, but lost his hearing and vision. A year later, Liam spends his days learning sign language, reading by braille and walking with a white cane. 

"We can't ever make it the same, but we can make it the best it can be," Joe Harrison, an educator for the visually impaired, said.

fighting cancer.

This is a story about a local nurse who is fighting a second round of breast cancer. On the evening I followed her, she sang the National Anthem before a hockey game.

these images are © 2012 Rapid City Journal and may not be reprinted or used without permission.

living with dementia.

these images are © 2011 Rapid City Journal and may not be reprinted or used without permission.

monogenic neonatal diabetes.

Jacob used to have six to eight insulin injections a day. Now he gets to take two pills a day.

this image is © 2011 Rapid City Journal and may not be reprinted or used without permission.

after a lap band procedure.

this image is © 2011 Rapid City Journal and may not be reprinted or used without permission.