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We, the family and friends of Nickel Bird, are seeking donations to ensure Nickel leaves a beautiful legacy of helping others. We are seeking funds through Gofundme.com and other sources to build a center dedicated to helping those who struggle with addictions and associated mental health issues—particularly those between the ages of 18 and 29. We also want to bring awareness to the over-perscribing of drugs that are used to mask the mental-health issues, rather than solving them. We would like to initiate changes that prevent the over perscribing of narcotics.
Nickel had been suffering from intense emotional pain for many years prior to taking her own life on November 22, 2016. Nickel’s pain was more intense than we ever understood. It’s true, most of us saw glimpses of her pain from time to time but we failed to understand the urgency. Nickel sought help on multiple occasions, and she was frustrated with the little help that was available. Many doctors just took her money and scratched out scripts before sending her on her way.
Her problems were compounded by shame when asking for or receiving help. It seemed like she believed she should be able to handle her issues on her own because she was an adult and because she was fierce. She had a self-imposed, strong expectation of independence.
This expectation of independence, whether imposed by self or others, exacerbates the problem and severely limits the options available to those that are struggling. We believe that Nickel’s expectation of independence amplified her difficult circumstances and feelings of hopelessness, ultimately leading to her suicide.
We believe this thinking is most prevalent for those between 18 and 29 that struggle with mental health issues and/or addictions. Of course, there are exceptions, but those younger typically have more advocates, safety-nets, and resources from parents and schools. Those that are older often have more resources simply because they are more established.
Nickel’s legacy will be the helping of those who feel like she did before taking her life. Her legacy will provide a shame-free place of healing for those that have struggles like hers.
Nickel is free now. She so desperately wanted to help others throughout her life and now she is free to do so. Please help us build Nickel’s legacy with a donation. 100% of the money received will be used for that purpose alone.
Specifics:
[MAY BE UPSETTING TO SOME READERS]
On November 22nd, 2016, Nickel C'Ann Bird went missing from her family home at approximately 1PM. She did not tell anyone she was leaving, nor did she leave a letter saying where, or why, she went.
When her partner, Lacey, came home from work that evening, all she found was two bullets laying on the floor of the room; Nickel had taken Lacey's firearm. Lacey ran outside and repeatedly screamed Nickel's name into the open forests of Oregon, where it could be heard echoing and shaking the quiet town of Bend.
Once the police had been notified of the missing 24-year-old, an APB was issued. We were desperately looking for anybody who had seen her. She had some family in California, Washington, Hawaii, and many other states across the U.S., all of which she could have gone to. We received several tips, from a local broadcast, with photos of hitchhikers along the streets and highways of Oregon; none of which were Nickel.
Family members discovered there was a bike missing, which urged them to look for any trace of the bicycle. They started looking around the local forests surrounding the property. They quickly found the bicycle parked under a tree off the road, following footsteps sunken into the soft dirt. They immediately notified the detectives working on the case.
Friday evening local authorities found the body of Nickel C'Ann Bird. It is presumed that Nickel had walked into the forest after taking heavy dosages of her overprescribed medications. She then began to run out of energy and sat down under the most perfect, beautiful, moss-covered tree. Running out of time, she pulled out a sharpie and began writing on the bottom of the backpack she was carrying, "It's too late to write you all, but please know I LOVE YOU & I'm so deeply sorry." With her final words written on a low-hanging branch "I'M SORRY".
We believe Nickel passed late Tuesday afternoon, but we are still awaiting official verification of the time of death. Her remains were cremated and will be spread in several important locations, from the Virgin Islands to Hawaii, in honor of Nickel Bird's nomadic spirit. Nickel is loved by many and will be missed more than words can express. Thank you for any support you are able to provide.
Nickel had been suffering from intense emotional pain for many years prior to taking her own life on November 22, 2016. Nickel’s pain was more intense than we ever understood. It’s true, most of us saw glimpses of her pain from time to time but we failed to understand the urgency. Nickel sought help on multiple occasions, and she was frustrated with the little help that was available. Many doctors just took her money and scratched out scripts before sending her on her way.
Her problems were compounded by shame when asking for or receiving help. It seemed like she believed she should be able to handle her issues on her own because she was an adult and because she was fierce. She had a self-imposed, strong expectation of independence.
This expectation of independence, whether imposed by self or others, exacerbates the problem and severely limits the options available to those that are struggling. We believe that Nickel’s expectation of independence amplified her difficult circumstances and feelings of hopelessness, ultimately leading to her suicide.
We believe this thinking is most prevalent for those between 18 and 29 that struggle with mental health issues and/or addictions. Of course, there are exceptions, but those younger typically have more advocates, safety-nets, and resources from parents and schools. Those that are older often have more resources simply because they are more established.
Nickel’s legacy will be the helping of those who feel like she did before taking her life. Her legacy will provide a shame-free place of healing for those that have struggles like hers.
Nickel is free now. She so desperately wanted to help others throughout her life and now she is free to do so. Please help us build Nickel’s legacy with a donation. 100% of the money received will be used for that purpose alone.
Specifics:
[MAY BE UPSETTING TO SOME READERS]
On November 22nd, 2016, Nickel C'Ann Bird went missing from her family home at approximately 1PM. She did not tell anyone she was leaving, nor did she leave a letter saying where, or why, she went.
When her partner, Lacey, came home from work that evening, all she found was two bullets laying on the floor of the room; Nickel had taken Lacey's firearm. Lacey ran outside and repeatedly screamed Nickel's name into the open forests of Oregon, where it could be heard echoing and shaking the quiet town of Bend.
Once the police had been notified of the missing 24-year-old, an APB was issued. We were desperately looking for anybody who had seen her. She had some family in California, Washington, Hawaii, and many other states across the U.S., all of which she could have gone to. We received several tips, from a local broadcast, with photos of hitchhikers along the streets and highways of Oregon; none of which were Nickel.
Family members discovered there was a bike missing, which urged them to look for any trace of the bicycle. They started looking around the local forests surrounding the property. They quickly found the bicycle parked under a tree off the road, following footsteps sunken into the soft dirt. They immediately notified the detectives working on the case.
Friday evening local authorities found the body of Nickel C'Ann Bird. It is presumed that Nickel had walked into the forest after taking heavy dosages of her overprescribed medications. She then began to run out of energy and sat down under the most perfect, beautiful, moss-covered tree. Running out of time, she pulled out a sharpie and began writing on the bottom of the backpack she was carrying, "It's too late to write you all, but please know I LOVE YOU & I'm so deeply sorry." With her final words written on a low-hanging branch "I'M SORRY".
We believe Nickel passed late Tuesday afternoon, but we are still awaiting official verification of the time of death. Her remains were cremated and will be spread in several important locations, from the Virgin Islands to Hawaii, in honor of Nickel Bird's nomadic spirit. Nickel is loved by many and will be missed more than words can express. Thank you for any support you are able to provide.