On her way to work, while waiting at a red light in her car, a suspected drunk driver hit Heather's driver side door. The impact of the accident left Heather with herniated disks and chronic pain. Heather underwent numerous hours of physical therapy, nerve ablutions, daily debilitating migraines and other painful invasive treatments. After a few years, the two herniated discs began flattening the spinal cord, requiring her to have a double cervical spinal fusion. Two years later, March 2016, two more discs supporting the fusion slipped onto the spinal cord. This required an immediate surgery to perform a second double fusion. This surgery left her in more pain and unable to fully use her right arm (causing frozen shoulder & Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS/RSD)).
After therapy and many attempts at helping with the pain and mobility issues, Heather had a medical device installed on her spinal cord (December 2016). The spinal cord stimulator is a medical device should one day help with some of the pain and will enable her to better move her arm and fingers. Unfortunately, the medical device was installed incorrectly and will require a new procedure to preposition the device. This procedure is on June 8th with a neurosurgeon since her nervous system is very sensitive.
For those of you who know Heather, she is a loving and kind person; her heart and spirit have no end. She loves her life and values all those who are a part of it. Everyone to her is a friend and she would go to any extreme to help a friend in need. She lives life to its fullest, even when things are bad and always shares a smile. She is a daughter, sister, mother and wife. She is a Christian, gives back to her community, and serves when she is able.
Heather has been out of work since her second spinal fusion, March 2016, and needs help with her out of pocket medical expenses. As such, we are reaching out to you, Heather's heroes, our family, friends and the community for help. Any level of monetary help will make a difference and is greatly appreciated.
Your decision to help will positively affect her life and the lives of many, forever. Thank you in advance for your consideration!
Warm regards,
The O’Connell, Heiser, Mertz and Millard families.
After therapy and many attempts at helping with the pain and mobility issues, Heather had a medical device installed on her spinal cord (December 2016). The spinal cord stimulator is a medical device should one day help with some of the pain and will enable her to better move her arm and fingers. Unfortunately, the medical device was installed incorrectly and will require a new procedure to preposition the device. This procedure is on June 8th with a neurosurgeon since her nervous system is very sensitive.
For those of you who know Heather, she is a loving and kind person; her heart and spirit have no end. She loves her life and values all those who are a part of it. Everyone to her is a friend and she would go to any extreme to help a friend in need. She lives life to its fullest, even when things are bad and always shares a smile. She is a daughter, sister, mother and wife. She is a Christian, gives back to her community, and serves when she is able.
Heather has been out of work since her second spinal fusion, March 2016, and needs help with her out of pocket medical expenses. As such, we are reaching out to you, Heather's heroes, our family, friends and the community for help. Any level of monetary help will make a difference and is greatly appreciated.
Your decision to help will positively affect her life and the lives of many, forever. Thank you in advance for your consideration!
Warm regards,
The O’Connell, Heiser, Mertz and Millard families.
Organizer and beneficiary
Heather Mertz O'Connell
Beneficiary