Scott Burke Healing Fund

If you know Scott Burke, you know he loves to work. If he could work, he would work.

Work ethic is defined as the principle that hard work is intrinsically virtuous or worthy of reward.

I will never know a person who embodies this principle more than my Dad- Scott Burke. For as far back as I can remember, he has always worked hard. Two jobs. Or 70+ hours at one position. He always worked hard to give his family what they wanted or needed. And that has never stopped.

He never took sick days. Just hard-earned vacations. Vacations to Disney World and Six Flags and all sorts of places. We got to take vacations and day trips that most kids could only dream of, all because of my Dad's work ethic. But sick days weren't a thing for him.

So, when he started taking sick days a few years ago, I knew something was wrong. This man doesn't DO sick days. The first time he went to the ER, I was shaken. He doesn't really do doctors either. At least he didn't.

These last few years have been a roller coaster with Dad's health. Multiple inpatient stays. A leg injury from a car crash that led to countless visits to the wound clinic. Diagnosis of atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure. ER visits due to fainting and heat stroke. Sick days, and sometimes sick weeks, have become a more common occurrence because he is genuinely too ill to work a lot of the time.

In February, he got Covid-19. It was scary. He was at high risk with his health, and we were all terrified he would end up on a vent. We were so relieved to be wrong. But instead, he got stuck with long haulers Covid, and 2021 has proven to be the most challenging year yet.

All year long, he has had to miss days or chunks of work. Whether it be because he was too sick to work or because of the dozens of doctors' appointments he needs.

Two Saturdays ago, Christa had to call 911 for him. He ended up in the ER in a trauma room with a severe acute GI bleed. He almost died. No exaggeration. He was admitted to the ICU and later transferred to a medical floor. He is home now but being followed closely. He still feels very unwell and his blood counts are not improving. He may be readmitted. His doctor has asked him not to return to work for at least the next few weeks.

All of these days and weeks of missing work have drained his savings away. We are working on getting his PFML through the state, and he is considering applying for disability. But, there are bills to be paid now. There is no peace of mind for Dad. He is so used to being the provider. He cannot stop stressing over missing work and missed paychecks. He needs to relax and take the time his body needs.

Please help us give Dad some peace of mind. It's something he desperately needs. Maybe you are a friend of mine or Christa's, and you remember how nice he was to you growing up—how he opened our home to everyone. Or, maybe you are a customer of his, and you have noticed his absences from work, and you miss the way he jokes with you.

If you know Scott, you know he doesn't take any of this lightly. If he could work, he would work. And he hates asking for help. He never wants to be a burden on anyone. He always does for everyone else. But, now he needs help. We need help. Christa and I already lost mom at such a young age. We want Dad to be around for as long as he can be. He has grandbabies to watch grow up. So, please, if you can donate, we would be so grateful. Help us help him take the time that he needs to heal.