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Help Heather and Egon Restore What Was Lost

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Heather is one of those rare friends that really shows up for you when you're in need. Now it's our turn to show up for her. She has lost most of her possessions: everything from kitchen utensils, to treasured mementos, and even her bed. With the help of a police escort Heather was recently able to access the apartment she had shared with her husband to grab some clothing and essential paperwork. And now she is starting over, but it won't be easy. As much as she and I don't like it... money is the most supportive tool right now. To get more of her lost possessions it will require hiring a lawyer, which costs money. To find and secure a new apartment will cost money. To refurnish and equip her new home will cost money. You get the picture.

Funds are needed for: 
Rental Security Deposit: $2,000+
Remaining Rent and Damage to the Existing Apartment: $3500+
Legal Assistance: $$$
Replacement Furnishings, Housewares, + Personal Items (Clothing, Books, Toiletries, etc)

Any amount you can give is welcomed and deeply appreciated. And if you have a loved one who can relate to this story, please share this gofundme with them and ask for their support as well.

For a little more history and context, Heather's husband had spinal reconstructive surgery on April 7th. The seemingly successful surgery was followed swiftly by a combination of post-surgical factors that triggered his bipolar disorder and resulted in a severe manic episode. Initially, Heather attempted to work with him to find the support that he needed to stabilize. He seemed open and willing, but the symptoms of his episode increased rapidly. He quickly became hostile, abusive, unwilling to seek support, and was doing considerable damage to their financial stability. After about 5 days, Heather was forced to leave her home for her own safety. 

In the time that Heather has been out of their apartment he has changed the locks, started new sexual relationships, destroyed most of her personal belongings, and filed for divorce, all the while sending cruel and disturbing messages that reveal the depths of his paranoia and psychosis. We know from experience that these episodes can last many months. 

I have this belief about life that everything is a puzzle that can be solved. And while I still believe this to be true on some level, I am watching Heather go through this extraordinarily painful time with no systems on her side. Heather has engaged with her husband's family, the emergency psychiatric evaluation team, the police, and other mental health providers and, unfortunately, is left with the frustrating and dismissive advice: "Nothing can be done. You need to hire a lawyer." Because her husband is not suicidal or homicidal he cannot be forced into treatment against his will. She can't force him to get the mental health care he needs. She can't get into her home safely and the police will not remove him from the home.

She has lost nearly all of her material possessions. She is trapped in the in-between space where the only kind of help available is the kindness and generosity of others. Please help Heather rebuild and restore the life she had just weeks ago. We're raising funds for assistance with finding and recreating a home where she can live safely with her sweet dog, Egon: 

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Donations 

  • Margaret Emersen-Rich
    • $25
    • 4 yrs
  • Allison Rudnick
    • $100
    • 4 yrs
  • Jennifer Pringle
    • $20
    • 4 yrs
  • Lisa Fisher
    • $100
    • 4 yrs
  • Maggie Shelton
    • $50
    • 4 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Kate McCracken
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
Heather Huff
Beneficiary

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