Support Michelle Sao Joao - NMO Awareness

Hello. My name is Rozelyn. I am creating this account in an effort to raise funds for one of my very dearest friends in life, Michelle Sao Joao (St John) and her dear husband Mario. This is the first time I have ever created a gofundme, and it is because it is of upmost importance that I do so. I am a nurse living in southeastern Massachusetts, and Michelle and her beloved family (husband, two daughters, 5 grandchildren), are also in communities in SE Mass. It must be said that Michelle is a very compassionate and giving person, always reaching out to assist others and the first one to arrive with soup or a meal when someone she knows is sick.

Michelle had just retired within the month as a talented nail technician and received her very first social security check, and her husband has been retired from construction for some time. On January 27, 2024, they traveled to visit Portugal, flying from Boston to the island of Pico. Michelle began to experience a backache following this flight. By the following day, it was severe back pain and numbness and tingling in her feet, then moving up through her legs. Michelle had to go to urgent care and then on to the hospital in Faial, Azores. Her legs stiffened up and the symptoms seem to rise, reaching her naval/abdominal area. It was first thought that she may have GBS, though it was ruled out along with other diagnoses. Lab work (once back in the states) has finally definitively given her the diagnosis of NMO (neuromyelitis optica), which is rare and affects only 1:14,000 people in the United States. It is a condition similar to multiple sclerosis, yet distinctly different.

Before receiving this diagnosis once finally back in Boston, Michelle had stayed in a hospital bed for a number of very difficult days and nights in the hospital in Faial, had many x-rays, multiple scans, and other tests. She and her husband faced this essentially alone until her two daughters and oldest granddaughter were able to arrive in Portugal.

It was clear that she needed to return to the U.S. for much needed medical care. Although she has health coverage, it does not cover the expenses of a direct medical transport, as she was not well enough to travel from a regular airport and flight back, as she was unable to walk and unable to feel even when she needed to utilize the bathroom. A direct medical flight was arranged with an accompanying nurse on board to the ICU of Boston’s Mass General Hospital. For a few days in a row, the plane was not able to land on the island due to foggy weather conditions, and was not even cleared to leave Boston, and it was for this reason that Michelle had to be transported to yet another island. Michelle finally flew home on Febr 13, 2024.

Michelle is in the midst of her medical care at this time. Besides medical bills flowing in, a lightweight wheelchair needed, and a more comfortable adjustable bed, the medical flight itself was astronomical in cost, to the tune of $88,000.

At this time, Michelle and her family and dearest friends are adjusting to this drastic change in her functionality. Any assistance that can be shared will be utilized towards medical expenses, including and especially the med flight back to the United States.