COLUMBUS -- Tristen Kleckner, 5, son of Cody and Oliver Kleckner of Columbus was rushed to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Lincoln in the early morning of Aug. 5 following an apartment fire that left him with severe burns over 75 percent of his body.
He was placed in an induced coma for nearly a month and later transferred to the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Tristen was moved Monday to Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital where, with the help of physical therapy, he will learn to walk again and hopefully gain more use of his left hand.
Tristen’s mother, Cody Kleckner, reports that his eyes have healed and that he is seeing normally. His lungs have healed significantly, and he is off life support although he does have occasional difficulties with breathing.
“Tristen is doing better,” Cody Kleckner said.
While at Madonna, Tristen’s treatment will concentrate on physical therapy and instruction for his mother to learn how to care for his burns and skin graft areas.
“Tristen is basically going to have to learn to walk again,” she said. “He’ll also have therapy to help him use his left hand.”
Donation jars at area businesses have brought in about $5,047 so far to help the family defray medical costs.
“I’m not sure where we’re at yet with all the finances,” she said. “I know it’s going to be a long process to figure out how we’re going to handle the financial part of all this.”
Since the fire, Cody has for the most part remained at Tristen’s side. She said she’s been living at the hospital, returning to Columbus a couple of times per month. She said she’s been able to stay in rooms set aside for family members at the hospital.
Tristen’s three brothers have been cared for in Columbus by their grandparents Dennis and Olivia Parker.
“I want to thank all the community businesses and everyone who has donated clothes, money and food to our family,” Cody said. “We’re still taking donations, and all of this has been a very big help.”
Jill Isaak, a family friend and Olivia Parker, Tristen’s grandmother have been working on the fundraising effort to help the family with its mounting medical bills.
“We’ve had a couple of fundraisers already,” Isaak said. “The next one will start with dinner at 5 p.m., Oct. 25, at the Eagle’s club in Columbus. The cost for dinner is $5 per plate, and we’ll be having pulled pork, baked beans and chips.”
The Eagles Home is located at 3205 12th Street.
Isaak said the event will feature a raffle and auction followed by karaoke DJ’ed by “All That Entertainment.”
Items that have been donated for the raffle and auction include professional photography sittings, a collector’s edition pewter framed print, a wide variety of gift certificates from several local businesses, T-shirts, sports items, hair care products and home decor items.
Benefit funds have been established for Tristen at First National Bank and Columbus United Federal Credit Union.
Print This Story
Email This Story
