Caring & Courageous; BG Health Magazine features Perry Prosthetics patient, Maria Weber
Caring & Courageous
by Jan Knape, BG Magazine
Spring/Summer 2012
“There is a lady in our town whose license plate reads RU TENSE. It’s a perfect question for someone with the skills of Maria Weber – a licensed massage therapist, because she certainly can help her clients relax! She has served over 800 of them in the past nine years, most recently as the massage therapist at St. Julian’s Fitness on North Main Street. That accounts for the caring part of Maria. The courageous part of Maria shows in her spunky attitude, her steadfast ability to keep walking through the challenges that life has thrown her way, and her constant drive to reinvent herself to achieve her goals. Maria’s challenges began as a teen (16) when she was diagnosed with a rare tumor (desmoid) in her right leg. This resulted in numerous surgeries and lengthy radiation treatments to deter reoccurrences. Unfortunately, this led to radiation-induced osteo-genic sarcoma (bone cancer) and resulted in the high-level amputation of her leg.
Maria’s challenges began as a teen (16) when she was diagnosed with a rare tumor (desmoid) in her right leg. This resulted in numerous surgeries and lengthy
radiation treatments to deter reoccurrences. Unfortunately, this led to radiation-induced osteo-genic sarcoma (bone cancer) and resulted in the high-level amputation of her leg. Maria had only been in the Bowling Green community
for six months when she got “really sick”. Despite the major amputation, the desmoid tumors returned deep in her abdominal cavity. She soon experienced the
loving embrace of neighbors who brought food, and the continuous support from Rainbow Pre-School and others in the community that she has never forgotten.
After the amputation, Maria endured 14 months of chemotherapy and extensive physical therapy with a waist-high prosthesis. She maintained a positive outlook during this difficult transition by volunteering in many capacities, including her son’s elementary school (Kenwood), the Humane Society, Cancer Society, and amputee advocacy work.”
Read entire story here: BG Magazine Spring/Summer 2012
