Emotionally, this has been one of the hardest experiences I have ever gone through. Ginger has been sick for about two months, and there have been moments where I truly thought I was going to lose her. I have cried more than I can explain — the kind of cries that come from deep in your soul. Ginger is my best friend, the yin to my yang, and I would do anything for her.

During this time, I had to rush Ginger to Oradell Emergency Hospital twice because she was struggling to breathe. I also had to rush her to Red Bank Veterinary Hospital because she was again having trouble breathing. All three times, I was not sure she would even survive the car ride. Each time, she needed oxygen right away. Watching her fight to breathe and feeling helpless while trying to get her help has been absolutely terrifying.

For weeks, we were treating her as if she had a respiratory infection, but she was not improving the way we hoped. Ginger was not responding well to the medication, and she almost didn’t make it multiple times. I refused to give up on her. I kept bringing her back for emergency care, follow-ups, testing, medication, and anything the doctors recommended because I needed to give her every possible chance.

Recently, someone on Facebook mentioned the possibility of mold exposure. At first, I did not know if that could be the issue, but I started putting the pieces together. The paint on the wall looked shriveled, as if there was water damage underneath. I also realized that I had been struggling to breathe despite using my asthma inhaler, and my other three birds seemed low energy and very weak. That is when I became extremely concerned that something in the apartment was making all of us sick.

I asked maintenance to open the wall and check for mold. When they opened it, mold was found. As soon as I saw it, I called the hospital right away. Ginger’s treatment plan was changed to include antifungal medication, and after that change, she finally started showing signs of improvement. She was hospitalized at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital for 5 days, and although she is doing better, she is still recovering and will need continued medical care, medications, and follow-up appointments.

This entire process has become extremely expensive. There have been multiple emergency visits to Oradell, visits to her primary vet, hospitalization at Red Bank, medications, oxygen, testing, and ongoing follow-up care. I have been trying to handle everything on my own, but financially it has become very difficult.

Ginger is a special needs black-capped conure. She was born with foot deformities and but she has the biggest personality. She dances, cuddles, plays, and has brought joy to thousands of people online through her videos. So many people love her and have been praying for her. I have been begging God to keep her with me.

I am raising funds to help cover Ginger’s emergency veterinary bills, hospitalization, medications, oxygen treatment, diagnostics, and follow-up appointments as she continues to recover. I have refused to give up on Ginger, and I will continue doing everything I can to help her recover. Any donation means more than I can put into words. Thank you for helping Ginger and me get through this incredibly difficult time.

Ginger's recovery process can be seen on facebook or Instagram at: Gingertheconure