Marshall Syndrome

Hi, I'm Felicia Carter.

I was born with a rare genetic condition called Marshall Syndrome, a disorder caused by a mutation in one of the body's collagen genes. Collagen is the foundation for so much of the human body—including bones, joints, eyes, ears, skin, and teeth.

While most people naturally lose about 1–2% of their collagen each year, mine deteriorates at an estimated 5–6% annually. That difference has shaped nearly every chapter of my life.

Marshall Syndrome is incredibly rare, with fewer than 1,000 reported cases worldwide. Because of its rarity, I spent the first three years of my life being misdiagnosed before my mom was referred to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

That referral changed everything.

A team of specialists at Vanderbilt made it their mission to understand my condition and help me live as normal a life as possible. Since then, I've undergone 18 surgeries, including three major craniofacial reconstructions, cleft palate repairs, lens removals, ear surgeries, retinal reattachment/repair surgery, and numerous other procedures.

Today, I live with profound hearing loss in both ears, significant vision impairment, bone and joint complications, and the daily effects of a progressive collagen disorder.

Yet through every challenge, God has continued to prove that my diagnosis does not determine my purpose.

The Current Challenge

In May 2024, what began as a severe tooth infection quickly became life-threatening.

Within hours, I found myself in Vanderbilt's Emergency Department with an abscess that had blocked nearly my entire airway. The infection required emergency surgery, an emergency tracheostomy, and seven days in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit.

My doctors later explained that had I waited much longer, I likely would not have survived.

As my medical team evaluated what caused such a catastrophic infection, they came to the same conclusion.

Marshall Syndrome has severely compromised my teeth.

The same collagen disorder that has affected my body throughout my life has also caused my teeth to deteriorate beyond what traditional dentistry can repair. Multiple dentists and specialists have agreed that removing all of my remaining teeth and replacing them with implant-supported prosthetics is the safest long-term solution to eliminate the chronic infection that continues to threaten my health.

Since that hospitalization, I've continued to battle ongoing inflammation, recurring infection, and the daily effects of living with teeth that simply cannot be saved.

What Is The Solution

I need a surgery to surgically remove all of my natural teeth and insert titanium implants. Even though this situation was caused by my medical condition and is causing more medical problems, this surgery will not be paid for by my insurance company (or anyone's insurance company). 

The cost for the oral surgeon team, the prosthodontist team, the huspital, the lab and all the other contributing factors total $150k. 

That is six figures.....just to save my life. 

Where Things Stand Today

Last year, friends, family, and people I had never met came alongside me and helped raise nearly $20k through generous donations, fundraisers, and partnerships.

Those gifts have already covered consultations, procedures, and other medical expenses along the way. Today, approximately $25,000 is in an account dedicated to this surgery.

For a season, I intentionally stepped away from fundraising.

I wanted to do everything I could to earn the money myself. I needed to focus on work, my emotional health, and trusting that I would find another way.

But while I am working harder than ever, my health continues to decline.

The infection hasn't paused.

The inflammation hasn't gone away.

Time is no longer something I can count on.

Today, I am just one bad day away from having a life-ending episode. I am also just one appointment away from being able to schedule the surgery. 

The only remaining obstacle is funding.

To move forward, I need to pay approximately $150,000 so we can schedule the operation and finally eliminate the source of the infection that has threatened my health for far too long.

Thank You

If you've taken the time to read my story, thank you.

Whether you choose to pray, share this page, or make a financial gift, you are becoming part of something much bigger than a surgery.

You're helping give me the opportunity to continue living the life God has called me to live - to keep coaching, serving, speaking, encouraging others, and investing in people for years to come.

For as long as I can remember, I've watched God write stories that only He could write.

This feels like the next chapter.

I believe He's already opened the door.

Now I'm trusting Him to bring the right people alongside me to help walk me through it.

How You Can Help

If my story has touched you and you feel led to be part of this journey, I would be deeply grateful for your support.

Every gift - whether it's $10, $100, or something larger—moves me one step closer to surgery. If giving isn't possible right now, sharing this page with your friends, family, church, or community can make an incredible difference as well.

Most importantly, I would cherish your prayers. Please pray for wisdom for my medical team, for complete healing, for God's continued provision, and that this story would ultimately point people to Him.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for considering becoming part of it. I truly believe that every person who joins this journey is helping write the next chapter of what God is doing in my life.

After 35 years, I met another human with Marshall Syndrome in October 2025. Greyson is 9 years old and he's the most incredible kid! There's a lot of people I believe God has me on this planet to positively impact, but Greyson just rose to the very top of that list. I need to stay alive and have an amazing quality of life so HE can see that it is possible for him too!