Bruce Burling Memorial Fund
Donation protected
On May 8th, 2020 after being missing for almost a month, Bruce Burling's body was found in the water at the power plant in Sault Sainte Marie, MI. Bruce led a tragic life. As a child, he spent much time in speech therapy without success. He was very hard to understand and that only increased as he got older. He gave up on education when he was 14. In 1982 after suffering a heart wrenching marriage breakup, he lost hope and attempted suicide. It was too painful and he called for help. This attempt ended anything close to a normal life for him. He drank caustic liquid causing the loss of his stomach and esophagus. He endured a stomach feeding tube for many months while doctors attempted to refashion an esophagus for him. Several attempts were made, most failing due to heavy scarring. He was a hard working commercial baker's assistant until 1982. He also abused alcohol heavily during this period.
For Bruce to get nourishment was a constant struggle. For years, he was able to swallow some foods but then what passed for an esophagus would start to close and required stretching at a medical facility. He went through this procedure several times over the next 38 years, most recently in March of 2020. This time they inserted another feeding tube through his nose, meant to give his throat a rest and time to heal. After this procedure, Bruce seemed to develop intense mental issues. He became somebody else. He would approach strangers requesting they help him remove the feeding tube. He accosted someone else. He became convinced he had this deadly new virus and having a trach and an electronic voice box, he decided he had no chance against that virus. He moved away from his lady friend and caregiver into a motel room. His debit card got messed up with a large reserved fund for the motel that caused his card to reject his normal charges and he racked up several hundred dollars of overdraft fees, not understanding any of it. He couldn't communicate vocally or in writing as he had the reading and writing ability of an 8 year old. People that knew him fairly well, could understand him if they could see his face but the virus lock-down prevented face-to-face communication. He couldn't explain what was happening to him. His tribal social worker had just filed in Probate to rule him incompetent and assign him a guardian but that wouldn't happen fast enough.
Approximately 1998 he found himself in Marquette, MI. He built up many friendships there and a close relationship to a church. He became a substance abuse counselor and helped many people. Something happened there when his church changed leadership and about 2007 he moved to Sault Sainte Marie. He proceeded to join a church and become a fellowship leader there; an advisor and friend to many. Frankly, as his sister, it astounds me he was able to counsel others with his very limited speech capabilities. It must have been God's work.
Anyway things became too much for him and he walked away from the dog he adored and his life sometime after 4/11/2020. Final arrangements are pending at C. S. Mulder Funeral Home in Sault Sainte Marie, MI. We are hoping to fund enough for a cremation and memorial service and to straighten out his banking mess. He has no insurance or assets. If anybody would like to donate, that would be wonderful and deeply appreciated. All stories of Bruce are also welcomed.
For Bruce to get nourishment was a constant struggle. For years, he was able to swallow some foods but then what passed for an esophagus would start to close and required stretching at a medical facility. He went through this procedure several times over the next 38 years, most recently in March of 2020. This time they inserted another feeding tube through his nose, meant to give his throat a rest and time to heal. After this procedure, Bruce seemed to develop intense mental issues. He became somebody else. He would approach strangers requesting they help him remove the feeding tube. He accosted someone else. He became convinced he had this deadly new virus and having a trach and an electronic voice box, he decided he had no chance against that virus. He moved away from his lady friend and caregiver into a motel room. His debit card got messed up with a large reserved fund for the motel that caused his card to reject his normal charges and he racked up several hundred dollars of overdraft fees, not understanding any of it. He couldn't communicate vocally or in writing as he had the reading and writing ability of an 8 year old. People that knew him fairly well, could understand him if they could see his face but the virus lock-down prevented face-to-face communication. He couldn't explain what was happening to him. His tribal social worker had just filed in Probate to rule him incompetent and assign him a guardian but that wouldn't happen fast enough.
Approximately 1998 he found himself in Marquette, MI. He built up many friendships there and a close relationship to a church. He became a substance abuse counselor and helped many people. Something happened there when his church changed leadership and about 2007 he moved to Sault Sainte Marie. He proceeded to join a church and become a fellowship leader there; an advisor and friend to many. Frankly, as his sister, it astounds me he was able to counsel others with his very limited speech capabilities. It must have been God's work.
Anyway things became too much for him and he walked away from the dog he adored and his life sometime after 4/11/2020. Final arrangements are pending at C. S. Mulder Funeral Home in Sault Sainte Marie, MI. We are hoping to fund enough for a cremation and memorial service and to straighten out his banking mess. He has no insurance or assets. If anybody would like to donate, that would be wonderful and deeply appreciated. All stories of Bruce are also welcomed.
Organizer
Sue Cook
Organizer
Harlingen, TX
