Mary Jane’s Story: Courage, Creativity, and Living with MELAS

Mary Jane Milici meets each day with determination and a smile on her face.

If you’ve ever received a card from the Happy Little Card Store, there’s a good chance Mary Jane Milici’s smile has been behind it in some way. She’s our constant source of joy, creativity, and inspiration — and she also happens to be living with MELAS disease.

MELAS — short for Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy, Lactic Acidosis, and Stroke-like episodes — is a rare genetic disorder that affects the body’s ability to produce energy. For Mary Jane, that means days filled with unpredictable challenges: fatigue, muscle weakness, seizures, and moments when even the simplest tasks take extraordinary strength.

But here’s the thing about Mary Jane: she meets each day with determination, humor, and a sparkle that no illness can dim. Whether she’s creating her own artwork, helping inspire new designs, or cheering us on, she reminds us that beauty and joy aren’t about perfect circumstances — they’re about showing up with your whole heart.

That’s why many of our cards are inspired by, and dedicated to, Mary Jane. Every purchase helps support her and others living with mitochondrial diseases, funding awareness efforts and research toward better treatments.

So the next time you send a Happy Little Card, you’re not just brightening someone’s day — you’re part of Mary Jane’s journey, helping turn challenges into moments of connection and hope.