Team Mark: Next Stop, Phoenix, AZ!

3 years since the cold winter night of Decemeber 20th when Mark's car slid off the icy road and engulfed in flames. We started this journey with  so much uncertainty of what the future would hold for Mark. Mark spent 80 days in the burn unit at Univeristy of Wisconsin Madison hospital following his accident. Since discharging from the hospital, Mark has had physical therapy to restore his strength, 24 major surgical operations to correct the damage, emotional triumphs to endure, and the physical scars that are left as reminders of all he has been through. Though there has been a lot of accomplishments and progress thus far, there has still been many complications, as well as goals that have still yet to be achieved. Mark is still not able to eat or chew food like you and I due to the muscles in his mouth being severely damaged from being burned. There has been roughly five attempts at correcting Mark's mouth in which none have completely corrected his mouth because of the lack of muscles there is to hold his mouth in a proper position. He still has a feeding tube to provide him with the nutritional needs in order to survive. Mark is also still having difficulties breathing because his nose was severely damaged leaving him with what was at one point, not a nose. Many surgeries later, Mark has now one nostril that doesn't always stay open for Mark to breath out of. The doctors at UW have explained the difficulty in correcting his nose because of the lack of blood vessel supply. They have made it clear that there is only hope for one more procedure to correct his nose without causing any more damage. Lastley, the physical scars that have been left in place from all the operations and damaged skin to Mark's body. The doctors at UW have exhausted their resources in helping correct Mark's extended list of complications and have referred him to a specialist in Phoneix Arizona. With that being said, we ask of you to contribute to helping Mark financially reach Phoeniz, AZ to get the help that he needs. Your contributions will help cover travel, housing and any unknown medical expenses that come along with seeking resources from other medical professionals.There will be t-shirts and other merchandise available for purchase as well. We thank you again for all your support throughout Mark's road to recovery!