Mari Rotella

In March of 2000 Mari was working for a small general contractor in Florida doing renovation projects. While working on one of these projects an overhang above Mari collapsed, knocking her to the ground.

Unfortunately, the contractor for whom she worked was not keeping up his Worker's Compensation insurance. While the state of Florida covered the initial medical bills, the injury has left Mari in extreme pain and wheelchair bound, unable to stand or walk. Forced to move to California in order to be closer to family, Mari now relies on state and federal assistance to make ends meet.

In the spring of 2011 a doctor recommended a bed that would provide pressure relief as a result of the diagnosis of permanent cauda equina syndrome. Her existing bed provided no relief from the near constant nerve pain. Unable to afford such a bed, Mari began looking for help. She learned about the Joseph Groh foundation through the Miami Project, a research foundation started by Hall of Fame linebacker Nick Buoniconti after his son sustained a spinal cord injury during a college football game.

Thanks to continued support from friends of the foundation, this request was able to be funded.