Marissa's Medical Fund For Surgery

My name is Marissa Weber, I'm 21 years old and currently live in North Carolina. On December 27, 2005 (at 12 years old)
I was in a go-kart accident. The go- kart flipped over a pot hole and I flipped with it until I was ejected and face planted. The main injuries sustained were regarding my face. I broke my jaws in two places and tore my face off from my nose down. I went into shock and was rushed to WakeMed of Raleigh in an ambulance- where we were told there was nothing they could do because it was too severe. I was then rushed to UNC Chapel Hill where they conducted multiple reconstructive surgeries and reset my jaws. By the age of 16, the complications of my injuries were requiring me to visit the hospital nearly every day, my jaws would randomly lock completely shut and cause severe pain.  Doctors had no resolution besides giving me pain medicine so I wasn't in constant pain.  I had to be resuscitated four times due to my jaws locking while I was eating.  After years of pain and no answers, we found Dr. Suh of Wake Forest.   He along with my team of orthodontist, were able to develop a detailed plan to realign my jaws and slowly made my jaw pain go away and prevent my jaws from locking closed. I've undergone over 10 surgeries over the past 10 years and have one more left!I'll be getting my braces off (that I've had for 11+ years) and porcelain veneers as well as implants (I'll finally be able to bite into something- which I haven't been able to do since the accident). I am hoping to have the surgery by the end of March. This accident has affected me for almost half of my life- I don't remember what I look like without braces. I am now pain free and have refused to give up- regardless of how stressful and painful it has been. If I can even make a dent in this goal- I'll consider it an accomplishment. Everything happens for a reason- I've taught myself to believe that, because it gets me through each day.  My biggest insecurity is my face/ smile.  I always smile because it makes others happy- but people don't realize that I've reconstructed my smile and have made it significantly smaller so they wouldn't see the flaws or the top of my fake teeth. To some people it may not be a big deal- but when you look in the mirror one day and you see yourself normal- then you look at yourself another day and see missing teeth, a swollen face, and parts of your face missing- your outlook on yourself changes. To be able to fix the pain was the most important thing- I learned how to live again without fearing that it would be my last breath.  I was no longer dependent on pain medicine.  I'm so grateful that we found a solution for the pain- now I want to completely leave this accident in the past by getting my braces off and having my final surgery for new teeth so I can be proud of my smile and appearance.  I currently work a full time job and a part time job, all while attending college.  I am majoring in Physical Therapy, because, throughout this process, PT

has been a major part of my life and something that I know can change people's lives.  I would like to be able to assist people in overcoming their obstacles, the same way I have tried to overcome mine.  The total cost of my surgeries have placed a significant burden onmyself and everyone around me and this last phase is no exception.  The final surgery cost is going to be more than double of what I was expecting and insurance will only pay a minor portion.  This money will only be used for medical bills and recovering, so I can finally put the past behind me and look toward the future with the biggest smile imagineable.