I wonder if anyone can help ?

I'm really frustrated ........... much of my studies were drafted in Word
documents over the last few weeks. Now, whenever I try to access them, I get
an error message about access privelege rights - I drafted them and nobody
else has access to my PC. The files are shown as being there but not
accessible. They now also cannot be attached to an e-mail either, there's an
error message that states that the files could not be found - though they are
still on my system just not able to be opened.
Any help gratefully received as this is weeks of work - if anyone has  
suggestions, please let me know - dummy guide please, I'm not hugely techie.

Thanks a million  

Jennifer