Paul Murphy outside dentist Source: news.com.au
THE world's unluckiest man sat on the edge of his bed in his Housing Commission flat this morning on the brink of tears.
"Nothing like this has ever happened to me before," he said, "and I just want to say thank you to everyone for being so generous.
"My mentor contacted me and told me maybe this is just a case of when you do a few good deeds, something good will come back to you.
"I've helped out old ladies. Fixed a door for one who'd been quoted $300 and I did it for $10, so maybe that's it.
"But I would never have expected this."
Paul Murphy, the 55-year-old pensioner whose unlucky life story on news.com.au drew an overwhelming response from readers, is clearly overwhelmed himself.
The good news is the world opened up its heart to a hard luck story.
The bad news is, well, there's more bad news - but that's to be expected. Mr Murphy is terribly unlucky.
Yesterday we brought you the tale of his string of misfortunes, which included being run over, burgled, smashed with a baseball bat, a home invasion, a car accident and a stint in a nightmarish hospital.
And his most recent calamity - a lost set of false teeth.
After telling the story of how Mr Murphy was so desperate to find his missing dentures he put up posters along a 2km route in inner Sydney, people responded on Facebook, Twitter and by emailing in pledges of financial support.
Paul Murphy's story - and his good humour despite all his misfortune - set off a reaction among Australians around the nation, people as far away as Singapore and Los Angeles, and French couple holidaying in Brisbane.
They sent in love, words of encouragement - and offers to make new teeth.
And they sent in money, from $10 to hundreds, straight to Mr Murphy's bank account.
News.com.au decided to accompany Mr Murphy on his first step to gaining a set of new dentures, an appointment with dental prosthetist Iliya Jaksic at Hurstville Denture Clinic in Sydney - all funded by the money sent in overnight by wellwishers.
And along the way we learnt there was more to his incredible tale of woe and, yes, it involves a girl.
Before we get to that, here's what people said about Paul Murphy:
* What a positive man - even though he has been taken through the wringer! - Kerry T
* Although I cannot imagine the struggle he faces, and has faced throughout his life, I can understand how hard it can be to get back on your feet, and I commend him for continuing to better himself and make an honest living - Shelley H
* I want to personally assist him on his journey in life - AD
* I am glad to hear so many others are also offering help. I guess that is part of being Australian, you may not know the person but when you hear they are down on their luck you help out in whatever way you can. I am glad to see that it is still alive and well - Nic
* Love to chip in a few bucks for ol' man Murphy - Kevin
* It would be very easy for this gentleman to psychologically become a 'victim'. That he has not, and continues to work towards an honest living, regardless of how difficult and scarce that may be, in the face of his troubled history, is very much to his credit, and speaks loudly of his innate character - Chris
* He sounds like a sweetheart - Jane C
* We all have a tale of bad luck, but in today's greedy world very few lend a hand when in fact we should help each other - Dean P
* It is encouraging to hear the efforts he has gone to in recent years to lift his life up. I believe everyone deserves a second chance and it would be a shame if he allowed the crappy run of luck he's had to defeat him and send him back down a dark path - Jean S
Mr Murphy will return for a second appointment tomorrow and expects a new set of you beaut dentures - made of high impact hard-to-break plastic - in three weeks' time.
The donations already made should cover the costs for the teeth.
Back home in his flat, News.com.au noticed a younger Murphy in a set of photographs on the wall.
He's standing and smiling next to a pretty girl.
"Oh didn't I tell you about that?" he said.
"We were going to get married, but she ran off with someone.
"With my best friend actually, so I lost them both."
The world's unluckiest man shrugged, lit up a cigarette, and smiled.
"Story of my life."
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