Help Doug Get Back Home 

A pilot and builder, devoted husband to JoAnn, father to Wally and Holly, and grandpa to five kids, Doug Apland has always been working on something. On August 10th, Doug suffered a devastating 10-foot fall while trying to repair the roof of their RV (which was leaking after their recent EAA trip in July). Doug landed on his head and back and was rushed by ambulance to Mayo in Eau Claire. He couldn’t feel his legs. After extensive testing and surgery (to stop bleeding in his brain and repair fractured vertebrae), the medical team confirmed he broke all of his ribs, suffered a punctured lung, and is currently paralyzed from the waist down. The doctors said it looked like Doug was hit by a truck. In good news, his spinal cord was not severed, but it will be a year before there is clarity on what type of function Doug will regain. He has been in active rehab at two different Courage Kenny campuses in the Twin Cities since leaving Mayo. JoAnn has been living with Holly’s family in Woodbury so she can see Doug every day.

Doug has been making great strides and is so thankful for the medical support and rehab he’s been getting, but he still has a long road to recovery ahead, and Doug and JoAnn’s house will need to be drastically modified before Doug can return home.

The amazing Jim Falls Lions Club has already installed a ramp to the front porch, but more work is needed. Donated funds will be used to make the bathroom and first floor wheelchair accessible and install a hydraulic lift to get access to the garage (which will be necessary during the winter). Funds will also be used to help pay continued rehab costs as the health insurance company said they will soon cut him off, forcing Doug and JoAnn to tap into retirement funds to cover expenses out of pocket.

Base level estimated costs are:

The entire Apland family is so thankful for the support from their amazing neighbors, family, friends, church, aviation, and Chippewa community. Please donate if you can and spread the word! Anything helps and is greatly appreciated. Let’s get Doug back home.

P.S. My name is Sara Willi and I grew up with Holly in Chippewa Falls. The Aplands are like a second family to me. Holly and I worked together to get this set up - Doug and JoAnn receive all funds raised here.