James Burke
Update January 26, 2005
My accident occured in '93, It is now over 11 years past the date of my TBI.
I recently received a response to a form(book) I filled out 4 years ago to the
Pennslvania Head Injury Program and will be receiving in jome therapy. Apparently
there is alot of space still available so if you live in Pennslvania give them a
search on Google. I also receive the Independence Waiver. I had to fill out a book
to be granted this as well. I get transportation once a week out of the city, and do
water therapy to help strengthen my left side. I was being exploited at Threshold. I
was doing warehouse work and using there computer to fill orders, but was only
getting $3.60 an hour pay. I quit working there, and I did not learn until recently
that they had never taken me off their payroll record, and told Social Security. I
was living wt less SS for over a year. When I finally could prove I had quit, I
received a lump sum of back pay. I volunteer daily at Mosaic House writing for there
newsletter, and volunteer at the library. I am trying to go back to college to get a
Library Science Degree. OVR says that they will pay for some of it but that I will
have to take out a loan to pay the rest. I've been fighting battles wt OVR since my
case first opened. Thats how it goes. Bye for now. - James Burke
Hello, my name is James Burke. My accident occured 6 years ago in late Febuary. I was working and living on grounds of longwood Gardens doing a public relations internship. I had just graduated from PennState with a B.S. degree in communications. I had come home for the evening to have dinner with my sister. I left her house and stopped by a local bar to sing some kareoke songs. I remember wearing my work boots and singing the song "Come Monday" by Jimmy Buffet. At the line where you're supposed to sing "I've got my hush puppies on", I substituted hush puppies with sh## kickers. I only had two beers as the bartender verifies. I left and was on my way back to longwood and lost control on the icy road. I went through a road sign a mailbox and ended hitting a embankment. Unfortunately I wasn't wearing my seatbelt. I hit my head against the windsheild . This didn't cause my injury though. I wandered out of my car daised and confused seeking help. I knocked on several doors with know response. Enventually I passed out in the snow. My car was towed away and although I was merely 100 feet away the State Police assumbed I was drunk and escaped the seen. I was finally noticed by a passing by moterist 6 hours later. He covered me with a blanket and called 911. I tried to speak but couldn't. When the ambulance came the paramedics rushed me into the vehicle. I died when I was found. In otherwords my heart stopped. I remained in cardiac arrest for 1/2 hour. This caused my brain injury caused by anoxia, actually the same condition affecting stroke victims. My speech is affected and also my left side of my body. My memory has impairments but has improved greatly. My largest problem in seeking complete independence has been the job market. When employers or job coaching organizations here my speech which is impaired through dysarthia I am considered to be simple minded and are turned down or offered the lowest positions
Anyone with suggestions please Email me
THANKYOUEmail James
