Alan's Quality of Life

Alan Popken, a 7th grader at North Middle School, had a life altering accident and has had several surgeries, and will need more surgeries and extended care. Alan's injuries included his heart, kidneys, bladder, liver, and spinal cord. He is likely not going to be able to walk ever again.

Alan has already had 3 major surgeries, and the latest one this past Monday to remove the bullet.

If you have met Alan, you know he is funny and outgoing, loves to joke around, is compassionate,  has a love for working on cars, and oldies music. Him and his family need our help at this time!

His parents, Tracy and Carmen, are currently not working so they can be with him, and Alan also has two brothers that also need care. Alan's sister, Kaitlyn Duerst, has been a huge help through this whole situation, being an ICU nurse at Nebraska Medical Center. She has been able to be there for him in a time of unknown, and also limited visitors with COVID. She is an inspiration to him.

Alan's parents are learning to care for his new needs, and will need to be with him as he transitions to a rehabilitation facility. He got to Madonna Rehabilitation Center in Lincoln, NE yesterday, February 16th. Alan is still getting nutrition through a tube in his stomach and an IV. They are working on his spinal cord injury.

Alan will be at Madonna for 3-4 weeks. The family house is $50 a night for his family to stay.  They are unsure if they can afford this for a whole month. The family may have to split up and come back to Sioux City, as Lincoln is three hours away.

Tracy and Carmen have also started planning the modifications they will need to make to their family home, so that Alan can be mobile in a wheelchair within their house. They will also need to get a special family vehicle to be able to transport Alan.

We are so thankful Alan is here with us, but him and his family need our help to be able to stay with him, travel back and forth from Omaha to Sioux City, and pay for medical bills, his medical equipment, and the outside care and therapies he will need from now on.

Listed below is Alan's Caring Bridge website which Tracy is trying to update as much as possible with how Alan's care is going.
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/alanpopken