On August 4, 2007, Dzemila Heco was stopped at a light on Center road in Essex, Vermont when she was rear-ended. Although Heco was wearing her seat belt, the 2000 Dodge Neon's restraint system failed. The force of the crash threw Heco into the rear seat and broke her spine, leaving her a quadriplegic. Before the crash, Heco had just completed her training as a dental assistant, and was ready to embark on a new career. Today, the 46-year-old woman is totally dependent on Medicaid and her younger son, who serves as her primary caretaker.