In the small community of Methuen, Massachusetts, love and unity have recently taken on new meaning as residents gathered to support Jessa Moniz. Since contracting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) at only four weeks old, Jessa has faced immense challenges, including cardiac arrests, brain damage, and ongoing seizures, leaving her unable to walk.
Recognizing the immense financial burden faced by Jessa's family, the Methuen community organized a fundraiser on August 28th, 2023, aptly named "Jessa's Journey" to help alleviate some of the costs of Jessa's medical expenses. According to CBS News, one of the family's most pressing needs was a wheelchair van, as Jessa's mother, Jacinta Moniz, has had to physically lift Jessa's wheelchair in and out of their current car for transportation to numerous medical appointments, particularly at Boston Children's Hospital.
The community-led fundraising event, held at the Elks Club in Lawrence, showcased the Methuen residents' genuine concern for Jessa's well-being and their unwavering support for her family. As reported in BollyInside, Jacinta Moniz expressed deep gratitude for the community's support, stating, "It's been a lot of praying and support from everyone." She went on to explain the essential nature of having a wheelchair van for Jessa's quality of life, mobility, and for their family's ability to stay together, safe, and comfortable during their ongoing journey.
Jessa's father, Jose Moniz, praised his daughter as a "fighter, laugher", highlighting her incredible resilience and fighting spirit. Her journey has indeed resonated with many, including the first responders who attended to her medical emergency on that fateful Christmas night in 2016. Firefighters Patrick McKenna and Eric Moreau, who were instrumental in saving Jessa's life, reflected on their experience with a sense of pride and appreciation for its lasting impact. According to NewsBreak, Moreau said, "It's nice seeing what we did so many years ago made such a big difference."
The Methuen community rallied together to help the Moniz family by providing financial support, emotional encouragement, and a renewed sense of hope for their continuing journey.
