Alicia Christiansen (Koepke) Stroke Survivor

On August 2nd, 2020 our friend and colleague Alicia, at the age of 49, suffered a massive stroke, aneurysm, and hematoma. After being airlifted to Loma Linda University Hospital she underwent four different neurosurgeries, over the past year, such as a craniectomy and a cranioplasty. She also had an infection, and again, had to have part of her skull removed and was on IV antibiotics for seven weeks. This led to having a titanium 3D printed piece of skull used to replace the infected one.

Alicia has been a multiple handicapped special education teacher at Casey Elementary School for the past 21 years. She has cerebral palsy and as a former Casey student herself, she had special needs which led her to want to help other students like her and become a teacher for kids with multiple disabilities.

During this past year she also went through a divorce and had to move in with her mother. Because of the length of recovery, Alicia has lost her teacher income and medical insurance.

Through her rehabilitation with occupational, physical, and speech therapy, Alicia has made amazing progress in her recovery. At this time she is able to speak, swallow, walk with a walker, and has gained numerous skills pushing her toward independence and her ultimate goal of being back in the classroom before the end of this school year.

The stroke affected her left side which is her dominant side. With this ongoing rehabilitation and lack of income, Alicia’s expenses exceed what she receives from disability.

In this time of need, and with the approval of Alicia, we are asking for financial assistance to help her continue with her recovery expenses. Alicia is making exceptional progress with the support from her family and friends. Steven, her ex husband is a physical therapist and works with Alicia twice a week and also takes her to many of her appointments. We, Susan and Lyne, go once a week to take her on a walk and on an outing. Alicia’s humor and intelligence is as strong as ever. Living with her mother, who’s retired, helps with her daily needs.

Alicia’s expenses from the beginning of her stroke make it difficult for her and her mother. Alicia has had to purchase her own medical insurance which is $1300 a month. She also needs many other specialized medical equipment not covered with her insurance. For example, different types of walkers and visual field loss prismatic glasses. She is currently on her 2nd pair of glasses which are approximately $1200 a piece. She will need at least one more pair during her recovery.

Any amount of donation is not too small and is greatly appreciated. Alicia works hard every day so she can gain back everything the stroke took away from her. She looks forward to being back in her classroom with her kids and life before her stroke.

We thank you for your generosity and prayers. If you would like to leave a message for Alicia we will be sure she gets them.

Thank you!

Lyne Chapman and Susan Tarbutton