Support Patricia’s Family After a Tragic Accident
Our friend, Patricia Machado and her family, are living through a nightmare no one should ever face.
Paty and her husband had gifted her parents a dream trip to the U.S.—time together, horses, nature, and a family reunion on her husband Jim’s side. Her father, Haroldo Filho, an avid horse lover, was especially excited for this experience.
Tragically, during a horseback ride, Haroldo fell and suffered a severe brain injury. He was airlifted to a hospital in Billings, Montana, and is in critical condition.
*Update as of 6/11:*
Haroldo’s neurosurgeon is holding off on surgery due to intense swelling on the left side of his brain. He cannot move his right arm or talk. He is responsive to light stimuli and can move his left leg and left hand. The hope is that swelling will begin to decrease in the next day or so. This will be a long and uncertain road to recovery, but we are holding onto hope and faith.
Paty, her mom Luciola, and Jim are taking turns at the hospital from 8 AM to 8 PM every day. Jim will soon return to Raleigh with their 3-year-old daughter, Sophie, while Paty and her mom remain in Montana—facing weeks or even months ahead.
*How You Can Help*
We’re creating this fundraiser to help with the many non-medical expenses ahead. Thankfully, they have travel insurance, which will hopefully cover most of the hospital bills. But everything else—housing, food, transportation, child care, travel, and eventually rehabilitation—will fall on the family.
They’re now looking for temporary housing in Montana for at least a month, with hopefully more to come once Haroldo becomes stable enough to transfer to Raleigh. Your donation will help them stay afloat as they navigate this crisis.
Our goal is to raise $25,000, and every dollar helps. If you can give even a little, please do—it will truly make a difference.
And if you can’t give, we ask for your prayers and well wishes during this incredibly difficult time.
Paty’s family is as loving and kind as she is, and I know they would never ask for this help on their own. That’s why we’re doing it for them.
I’ll be updating this page regularly with any news on Haroldo’s condition.
With all our love we thank you!!
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