Allen Walker Recovery Assistance

For those who do not know Allen Walker’s story, it is one of heroism and heartache. On July 27, 2018, Allen and his young family were vacationing on Hatteras Island, North Carolina, and after an enjoyable week of fun, the family made one last trip to the beach. Allen and his daughter were swimming in the ocean, when his daughter was caught in a rip current. Allen worked feverishly for nearly 45 minutes, to free her from the ocean’s grip. He was finally able to get her pushed out of the current to safety, only to be dragged out by the current himself. Continuing to try to free himself, and keep his head above water, Allen spend an exhausting amount of time trying to escape the current. Eventually, as he was thrown toward the beach, his wife, Carina, and a Park Ranger, were able to help him reach the beach. 


Allen was airlifted to the nearest trauma hospital, in Greenville, NC, which was over 45 minutes away by helicopter. En route, he went into cardiac arrest, and was without a pulse for over 10 minutes, which deprived his brain of necessary oxygen. Once he was in ICU, in critical care, Allen was unresponsive and unable to wake for days. His family was heartbroken, thinking that he would never awaken, but with the constant bedside support of his loving wife, Carina, the amazing ICU staff and physicians, and all the prayers of all who care, Allen did wake up, and his journey toward recovery began. He has had seizures and has neurological damage from all that he has been through, and is currently receiving intensive inpatient rehabilitation treatment. His trach tube was removed one week ago, and he is now able to eat. He is currently learning how to walk with assistance, and improving in many ways. The lack of oxygen and events thereafter has caused cortical blindness. It is not yet known if he will recover his vision.


Allen has a long recovery ahead of him, and once he is able to return to his home, he will require 24 hour care and assistance with daily living.  He will be unable to work in his job as a nurse for awhile,  modifications will need to be made to the family home to make life easier for Allen and his precious family, and he may possibly need the assistance of a therapy dog in the future in order to live as normal a life as possible. Allen still has a very long road ahead of him and a long way to go to have any independence.


So many of you have asked to follow Allen's story and have been asking for ways you can help. He is going on 2 months now in the hospital, and the insurance premiums and bills are adding up.  If you have a giving heart, and want to help Allen and his family get through the days ahead, we encourage you to give as you feel led.  Any amount is helpful and will be appreciated, as it will go toward paying bills, and modifications to the home to accommodate for wheelchair access through doorways and in the bathroom. It will also go toward basic necessities while the family income is very low.


Thank you so much for your love and concern, and please know that Allen and Carina are eternally grateful for your support as they find themselves navigating through a new normal and in a situation they never imagined could happen.