News

Generosity of others helps Casey make
a home for Nick

By Jeff Kurowski
Compass Assistant Editor

	HOME CARE: Nick Nelsen at home with his mother, Casey. Many individuals helped with an addition to the house after Nick suffered an anoxic brain injury in an apartment fire in 2004. (Rick Evans photo)
	Sincere thanks "I didn't know many of the people who helped me, but I will never forget them," said Casey Nelsen. She wishes to recognize the following for their contributions: Ray Dufano and the Knights of Columbus, Carin-Lynn Haen, Deb Barlament of Bayland Buildings, Tony Froelich of Perret Homes, Larry Van Rite, John of Mac's Trucking, Peters Concrete, Travis Marckowitz, Geyer Electric, Steve Parent, Dan Mauer of Extreme Heating, UCB, Alpine Insulation, Brian Gillette of Watertight Gutters, Deyo Disposal Inc., Marv's Hometown Tire & Auto Service Center, Margie Mueller, Blake Mueller, Amy Mueller, Troy Christiansen, Stacy Arcand, Victor Loberger, Colleen Arcand, Barbara Arcand, Lisa Aschenbrenner, Joe Aschenbrenner, Steve Arcand, Ben Nelsen, and Rodney Walton. "I would also like to thank my mother, Carolyn Arcand, for her patience," said Casey, "and all the family, friends and co-workers that either helped out or contributed at the benefit. And to all the people who included us in their prayers, may God bless all of you."

When asked by his mother, Casey, if he's happy to be home, Nick Nelsen gently nods his head in approval before returning his attention to a police drama broadcast on TNT, his favorite television channel.

An anoxic brain injury suffered in an apartment fire in 2004 left Nick unable to talk or walk. His burns from the fire were minimal, but the carbon monoxide caused the brain injury. He was placed in a hyperbaric (high pressure oxygen) chamber three separate times to remove the carbon monoxide from his body. (An initial story about Nick was featured in the Oct. 7, 2005 issue of The Compass. [print edition only])

"He's still here," said Casey. "It's better than the alternative, which was death."

Not only is he alive, but he is home, thanks to the generosity of many, she added.

"I never feel as though I've thanked people enough," said Casey. "I need to pay it forward. There is going to be a time when someone other than Nick is going to need my help, and I need to be there for that person. I'm waiting for that opportunity."

Casey's home on the east side of Green Bay required an addition to accommodate her son. Carin-Lynn Haen, a co-worker of Casey's at Schneider National helped organize a benefit to raise funds for the renovation.

"Carin is the person who started the whole thing," said Casey. "She got things off the ground. I nominated her for an Orange Heart Award at Schneider, and she won. She deserves it. I couldn't have done it without her."

Numerous individuals and businesses assisted with donations, supplies and skilled labor. Ray Dufano organized a large donation from the Knights of Columbus. Deb Barlament of Bayland Buildings helped to launch the building project.

"Whenever I needed something, someone would come through," said Casey. "Tony Froelich of Perret Homes taught me everything I needed to know to be my own contractor. He gave me a timeline and all the information I needed to pull the whole thing together. It was a lot of work, but people pitched in." (See box, at right, for a complete list of contributors)

During the design phase, Casey encountered a stumbling block. Building an addition to her house would be extremely difficult and costly.

"The lot size was so narrow and the driveway was very narrow," she said. "I would have had to turn part of the front yard into a driveway to get Nick in and out of the house."

The plan to build an addition remained the same, but the house changed. Casey decided to buy the home of her mother, Carolyn Arcand, and put a 446 square-foot addition on that house, located near Lambeau Field. The addition features a large bedroom for Nick and a family room/dining area. A previous bedroom was converted into a large bathroom with a roll-in shower to accommodate Nick's wheelchair.

"It made more sense and was more affordable," said Casey. "We did a lot of the work ourselves. We are almost finished. We only have a few small things left to do. We need to put the deck on the back of the house this spring. I also need to sell the other house."

Nick returned to the Green Bay area from the Clearview Brain Injury Center in Juneau, Wis., in March of 2006. He lived at Parkview Manor until November, when he came home. The renovated house not only serves the needs of Nick, but also provides space for his son, Christian, who visits on weekends.

"It's a different relationship, obviously, but it's still important for Christian, who will be seven in March, to be around his Dad," said Casey. "It's also important for him to be around me as his grandmother. Christian is extremely helpful with Nick. He gives him drinks and covers him up with his blanket."

Casey gets Nick ready in the morning for his day at Innovative Services in Green Bay. Sky Laes, a longtime friend of Nick's, cares for him in the afternoon before Casey gets home from work.

"Sky works for Nick," said Casey. "When I had to go away for work for five days, he came and stayed with Nick. He's doing an excellent job. My oldest son, Ben, Nick's brother, also helps out."

Casey is hopeful that Nick can use a speech device in the future.

"It would really help him communicate," she said. "It would help him get out his emotions, his wants and needs, and how he's feeling."

Prayer has helped Casey through the trying times. She is part of a prayer group that meets regularly at various locations including The Chapel at Robinsonville.

"It's a nice little group," she said. "They are very faithful women. They inspire me. Their faith is really strong."

Casey has received praise for her strength during the past 20 months, but she dismisses the compliment.

"I just believed in what I was doing," she said. "I've always believed that bringing Nick home was the right thing. I have never regretted it for one second. I'm so happy that I did it. I don't find it to be difficult. It's the best thing for him. I believed in it then, and I see it now."