Joanne’s Journey - Tragedy to Hope - ABLE Program

Joanne suffered a devastating spinal cord injury in January of 2022. She is working hard to reach her full potential.

We are kicking off a second go-fund-me specifically to support her desire to participate in the ABLE program, an intensive therapy program at Courage Kenny in conjunction with The University of Minnesota.

We’re asking for your help to raise at least $50,000 to allow

Joanne to participate in several rounds of ABLE therapy, as well

as additional therapies she might need. Her goal is to become as independent as possible and we need your help to make that happen.

Please read her story and thoughtfully consider your support.

Joanne Wallen, 63, lives in Maple Grove with her husband

of 42 years, Scott. They have two children Kaitlin and Nick.

Kaitlin and her husband, Travis, live in Plymouth with their two

children, William and Tori. Nick lives in Champlain.

In January 2022, Joanne had COVID and was light-headed.

Tragically, she fell down a flight of stairs at home, breaking

her neck and sustaining a spinal cord injury that left her a

quadriplegic. Joanne was in North Memorial Medical Center for

two months, and then at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Center for

four months.

Joanne was able to return to her Maple Grove home in July

2022, but the home required significant remodeling to be

accessible and accommodating for Joanne’s new life in a

wheelchair. In addition, the family needed to purchase an

accessible van to be able to transport Joanne to medical

appointments and more as well as cover the cost of her personal care attendant for 8 months until county funding could be established. We are SO thankful to those of you that helped with these costs through the first go-fund-me in Joanne's name in 2022.

This tragedy has affected every aspect of Joanne and her

family’s life.

The once active, involved and close-knit community bonds

Joanne had have been significantly changed due to her current

limitations. Beloved grandparent time, hobbies and lost social

relationships have been a source of immense grief.

The adjustment to being home with a village of support, both

professional and personal, has been a journey.

Joanne has and will continue to put her heart and soul and every effort of her

being into doing the work to gain strength and independence.

She is working hard to reach her maximum potential for quality

of life.

Joanne worked as a school social worker in the Osseo School

District for 32 years. She was looking forward to retirement after

the 2022-2023 school year. She planned to volunteer in ways

that allowed her to keep her interest in her profession and to

continue to advocate for the welfare of children. In her time with

the district, Joanne touched and impacted the lives of thousands

of students.

This is where we, the community Joanne has given so

much to for so many years can help her out!

More and more of Joanne’s nerves are reawakening and her

medical team is encouraged by her potential for increased

mobility. At their recommendation, she is on the waiting list

for an intensive rehabilitation program at Courage Kenny in

conjunction with the University of Minnesota called ABLE.

(Activity-Based Locomotor Program). ABLE is based on the

most up-to-date scientific and clinical evidence. It’s designed to

speed recovery after spinal cord injury by helping the brain and

spinal cord relearn motor patterns associated with standing and

walking. The ultimate goal is to increase mobility, independence

and improve health.

ABLE offers one of the best programs for spinal cord injury

therapy available in the country, right here in Minnesota.

Joanne is hopeful to begin this program and continue her

recovery as soon as possible. However, the program comes with

a major price tag, not covered by insurance. 12-week sessions

at ABLE average over $10,000, with most people participating in

at least 4 sessions. That’s roughly $45,000!

This past year of home remodeling, significant health

care costs and other needs has resulted in a great personal

financial burden already to Joanne and Scott, which doesn’t

leave funds available to participate in the intensive therapy the

ABLE program offers.

We’re asking for your help to raise at least $50,000 to allow

Joanne to participate in several rounds of ABLE therapy, as well

as additional therapies she might need. Her goal is to become as independent as possible and we need your help to make that happen.

Please thoughtfully consider supporting Joanne's request to support her ABLE program therapy. We would love to help her become the best she can be!

There will be an ice cream social as an opportunity for those that wish to visit with Joanne. That will be Sunday, May 21, 2023, from 2:30pm - 4:30pm at Eastman Nature Center 13351 Elm Creek Road Maple Grove, MN 55369. You may also make an in-person donation at the event. Door prizes will be drawn at the event.