Justice for Heather

My name is Natalie, and I’ve created this go fund me for my cousin Heather who was injured in a senseless act of domestic violence. These funds will be used to help her regain her life and have access to basic needs such as a handicap accessible bathroom.

My family and I have reached what feels like a brick wall in finding help for my sweet, strong and resilient cousin Heather. My heart is breaking because she hasn’t been able to access a real bathroom to bathe and have basic essential needs met. She hasn’t had access to real bath room since March 20th due to being sent home to face her new life in a wheel chair at her parents home which is not fully not handicap accessible. At no fault of Heather or her families they’ve found themselves scrambling to move forward in life.

I’d like to share her story with you. It is a tale of topics becoming far too “normal” in today’s world of domestic violence and gun violence.

Heather 34, was your average mid class hard working single mom to three children; Jasmine 17, Mike 13, and Mason 7. Sadly one year ago Jazzy and Mike father passed away due to an accidental drug over dose due to the pandemic of hidden fentanyl. As you can imagine her 2 older children have been reeling in the aftermath of such a sudden and tragic loss only for Jan. 5, 2024 to have what remained of their world shattered once again.

On this evening Heather was lured to her youngest childs father’s house not knowing the evil intent waiting for her upon her arrival. Joshua Ryan Smith is the father of Mason. Heather and Ryan separated a few years back due to Ryan’s drinking problem and his domestic abuse. He had never accepted their separation and has not made co-parenting easy on Heather. As I mentioned, Heathers older children had lost their father so it was important to her to keep Ryan in Masons life. As a result, Heather dealt with Ryan’s bad behavior and harassment quietly. Ryan often used his weekend visits with Mason to manipulate Heather to come to his home under the guise of Mason needing something. That is what occurred in the late hours of January 5th.

Ryan called Heather making her believe she needed to come get Mason. Through this phone call it was very apparent Ryan was very intoxicated. Heather asked her friend to give her a ride to Ryan’s home so she could bring Mason home. As soon as Heather entered Ryan’s home he began an argument with her. Heathers last words to him were she wasn’t going to stay their and argue with him, and as she turned to leave; Ryan pulled a 9mm hand gun from the back of his waist and shot her in the neck. Heather is now paralyzed from the chest down.

The doctors cannot operate due to fear of causing further damage and she becoming paralyzed from the neck down. Heather spent months in the ICU fighting her way back to her children. Ryan was arrested approximately 2 weeks later and is in jail waiting for the court process. He was charged with attempted 1st degree murder and intent to cause harm or bodily injury.

Sadly in March Heathers insurance would no longer pay for her hospital stay since she no longer needed acute care. She was sent to live with her retired parents whom had been caring for her 3 children since this happened. Their home does not have a wheel chair accessible bathroom, nor is it fully handicap accessible. Heather has not been able to an access bathroom since her return home due to this.

Her parents are retired and on a fixed income. They do not have access to the needed funds to have a bigger bathroom put in much less remodel their home to fit Heathers new need’s.

My self and other family members have tried a T-shirt fund raiser and a go fund me. Neither of which have done very well. We see how this is understandable due to how most Americans are struggling currently. We’ve been trying to organize a benefit to raise funds for her basic needs in her new life, but sadly after reaching out to many local vendors to hold the benefit, not one has called us back. My heart breaks for my family and I don’t know where to turn. My hope by sharing this story with you is that you may be able to share Heathers story and possibly her go fund me or T-shirt fund raiser to help us raise funds for her. I know times are hard financially for many of us, but any amount donated is helpful and adds up! Thank you for taking the time to read this, and ask you keep Heather and her family in your prayers as she still has a very long road to reclaim her life. Her spirit remains unbroken and she faces each day with a positive attitude. We are in awe of her strength and perseverance. In Heathers words, “Ryan has taken enough from her and she won’t allow him to take anymore.”