My name is Kristy, and I am asking for help for someone who means more to me than I could ever put into words, my best friend, Heather. To the people who know her online, she is Thee Owl Queen: a wildlife photographer, advocate, author, and the woman behind “Snowy Mama”, her memoir about how she became Thee Owl Queen. For years, Heather has dedicated her life to wildlife, but especially to owls. She has spent countless hours in the field studying and photographing them, learning their behaviours, telling their stories, and helping people see these incredible birds as individuals rather than simply another species. Her heart has become especially devoted to the barred owls she has fought so hard to protect. She has become a passionate voice for them at a time when they desperately need people willing to speak for them. But right now, Heather is the one who is in need.
Over the past several months, Heather's health has become increasingly complicated and frightening, with repeated hospital visits and admissions, serious cardiac symptoms, severe dizziness and weakness, episodes where she has passed out, swelling and significant fluid fluctuations, and many other symptoms that doctors are still trying to understand. There are still so many unanswered questions, and her doctors are actively investigating further into what is wrong and how they can help her. Meanwhile, the financial burden continues to grow. for example, we are trying to find Heather a new chiropractor because she needs ongoing care due to 9 herniated discs and degenerative disc disease and stenosis…the initial consultation is another expense we have to somehow find the money for. There are also two specialists she needs to see who are completely out of pocket, one is $250 every visit, and the other costs $400 just to walk through the door. Heather also has severe sensitivities and needs an extremely clean, carefully controlled diet. Because of her histamine issues, food must be fresh rather than sitting around, which makes groceries considerably more expensive. These aren't luxuries. They are part of trying to keep her as stable as possible while we search for answers. And while all of this is happening, I have been struggling with my own health and have not been able to work. Heather is disabled but still trying to do everything she can to continue working through her social media, wildlife advocacy, photography, and writing whenever her health allows, but right now there simply isn't enough coming in to cover everything.
