'Bionic Model' Rebekah Marine Featured on Episode of 'Say Yes to the Dress'

Rebekah Marine, who has embraced the moniker “bionic model,” is ready to “Say Yes to the Dress” ahead of her wedding to fiance Jared Paster on an upcoming episode of the hit TLC reality show.

Born without a right forearm below the elbow, Marine uses a high-tech prosthetic arm that mimics her muscle movements. She got her big break in modeling when she was featured in Nordstrom’s 2015 anniversary catalog. Since then her career has taken off, but as she shares part of her story in a promo clip released ahead of her “Say Yes to the Dress” episode, it took time to accept her limb difference.

“I grew up wanting to just be like everybody else,” Marine said in the video. “I didn’t envision getting married because I dealt with a lot of insecurities about my arm. I didn’t want anyone to see it. I hid it a lot in photos. It took me probably about a decade to find that person that I am now.”

“Say Yes to the Dress” host Randy Fenoli highlighted why seeing people with disabilities like Marine represented in culture, including modeling and TV is so important by sharing some of his own story.

“I was abused and bullied as a kid,” revealed Fenoli. “What you felt as a child, so many children out there and people feel that way every day. Any story that they can hear that will make them feel better is powerful.”

Of course, Marine’s “Say Yes to the Dress” episode will also feature a little drama about her wedding dress choice. Her entourage loves a dress that Marine doesn’t and vice versa. Regardless, Marine said she is happy to have made it to this point in her journey.

“I’m really excited that I’m at this point in my life and I’m happy and confident,” Marnie said. “I just learned to love myself first and then finding love with somebody else has just been really rewarding.”

Tune in to see Marine’s episode of “Say Yes to the Dress” on Saturday, March 2 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on TLC.