Please help my niece Michelle! Her story...

My name is Michelle, and I’m a chronically ill and disabled 27 year old who needs your help and support. In 2022 and in 2023, I almost died due to complicated medical conditions.

A few years ago, I was diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, and from there, my health deteriorated rapidly. Many other conditions started to pop up - I suddenly lost the ability to eat and lost 30% of my body weight in four months. I stopped being able to hold my head up by myself, and I now wear a neck brace almost 24/7. I lost most of the physical strength I had left - but I didn’t lose my mental strength and have survived so much.

For years now, I have been in severe daily pain. Unfortunately, I am unable to eat by mouth and have been on a feeding tube since 01/2023. Along with my neck issues, I have multiple ribs that need repairs/must be removed. 100’s of doctors appointments and procedures later, medicines, specialists, ER visits, surgeries, and more, and my team finally believes we have figured out the rare conditions behind the major medical issues I have, specifically my inability to eat and hold my head up.

This year, I will FINALLY be getting multiple procedures and major surgeries to start working on fixing these issues the best we can. Due to the severity and complexity of my illnesses, I will be traveling out of state for these procedures and surgeries to see top specialists who have major experience operating on someone like me. There will be lots of travel, hotels, and long recovery times. 2024 will be a very long year for me - but I am so ready and hopeful.

Despite the multiple doctors appointments every week, I was able to handle working full time for two years since my diagnosis of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Unfortunately, my body cannot do it any longer. I have had to step away from my career in 2024 to focus on getting back to a stable place with my health as best as I can before returning to work. It wasn’t just me who miraculously survived 2023 - My incredible husband, Jared, beat stage III aggressive localized melanoma. It’s safe to say 2023 was our most challenging year yet.

Jared and I are very private people, but after being gently urged by others to make a GoFundMe, we have humbly realized that 2024 is the time to reach out for support, help, and love from our community and beyond. Any and all funds collected in this GoFundMe will be used for surgeries, procedures, medical travel, and to help keep a roof over our head while I focus on getting my life back before returning to work.

We plan to post an update as soon as we can as we currently have a two big appointments in South Carolina booked in February, and my first surgery booked for March 15th in West Virginia. Thank you all for your love and support thus far.