Rob Marrero, who was paralyzed playing football in May of 2011, is participating in a contest that could help his family tremendously.

The contest is part of National Mobility Awareness Month. Three new customized wheelchair accessible vehicles will be awarded to the highest vote-getters in the National Mobility Awareness Month Local Hero Contest.Marrero's wife, Carrie, is hoping TIMES NEWS area readers will step up and vote for him."Everything has changed and every day is a struggle," says Carrie Marrero. "Currently our biggest challenge is transporting Rob to many required doctors appointments. We live in a small town and there aren't many options for transportation. We finally found a medical transport company, but our insurance refuses to cover non-emergency transport."Having our own handicap accessible van will take such a huge weight off our shoulders. I won't have to schedule pickups, Rob could travel in his power chair rather than going by stretcher in an ambulance and it would allow him to go out and enjoy somewhat of a normal life with his family. I just want him to have the freedom of knowing he can come and go and not have to worry that he may miss a necessary doctor's appointment because insurance won't cover the transportation."According to Carrie Marrero, the top 10 percent with the highest votes will be entered into a second round. A panel of judges will review each individual's story and select three who will win a customized wheelchair accessible van.To vote for Marrero, go to

http://www.nmeda.com/mobility-awareness-month/heroes/pennsylvania/lansford/113/rob-marrero. You may vote once every 24 hours. In addition, there are "promo" codes available that can be used once by each voter. Marrero will receive an addition five votes each time a promo code is used.The contest ends on May 13.To read more about Marrero, go to

http://www.tnonline.com/2012/mar/14/second-first-breath.