Mike Burklow Medical and Financial help

My name is Valerie Costa. I’m a family friend to Mike and Stephanie Burklow. I want to share some information on why this fund is being created for my friend Mike. 

Stephanie has 3 daughters and a son. Mike has a daughter. Stephanie lost her first husband Jeff in 2014 from a ruptured aorta. He died within 24 hours of it being found. Thinking she would never find love again, she stumbled upon Mike. Mike swept her off her feet and once again she found the light that made her want to love again. Mike is the most genuine down to earth person in the world. He adores Stephanie and the blended family they have. He loves Stephanie with everything he has. Mike looks at her and would do anything for her. They truly have a love story.  They married their best friend. 

I met Mike several years ago. He always goes the extra mile to make sure everything is taken care of. He’s always right there volunteering his time and looking for ways to help. Anytime I’ve needed him or others, he’s been right there to help. 

Fast forward to September 22, 2020. Mike was on his motorcycle on his way home from helping a family friend. Mike was traveling South on Oak Park Avenue. No fault to his own, he was hit from the side and thrown off his bike. He was alert and able to tell the first responders to call his wife. Mike was rushed to Christ Hospital in serious condition. Stephanie immediately jumped in the car to get to her husband. Unfortunately, she had to wait what felt like forever to see him. When she finally was able to see him, Mike was in so much pain that it was too hard to talk. The doctors told Stephanie he was being rushed into emergency surgery. He had internal bleeding and a broken leg. Initially that is all she thought. Mike underwent a 5 hour surgery. When the doctor came out to speak to Stephanie they said his foot was saved. Only after an hour later it was determined that his foot was not receiving blood flow and he was quickly brought back in for another surgery. The doctor prepared Stephanie for the possibility that Mike might lose his right foot. The doctors had to rebuild his entire leg. The bypass vein in his leg now, typically only lasts a year. This will be a lifetime of monitoring. Mike had a collapsed lung, broken ribs, broken sternum, broken shoulder and elbow. He also had bruising from head to toe. Mike has undergone numerous surgeries in the past two weeks. There could be several more as time goes on. By the grace of God, Mike had no head trauma. Mike spent 8 days in the Trauma Surgery ICU at Christ. He was moved last week to another floor where he continues to recover. He and his family have an extremely long road of recovery ahead of them. In a matter of seconds, the Burklow family’s life was turned upside down. 

Mike will not be going home after the hospital. He will be going to a rehabilitation center for extensive inpatient therapy. Mike will be in a wheelchair. Mike will have to retrain his body and adjust to many limitations. Mike will have to be in a separate part of the house without any stairs. There will be so many adjustments to the life they once had. This has already taken a toll on Mike emotionally. He feels so guilty and helpless. Our hearts break for the Burklow family. I’m still in disbelief that this has happened. All we can do is exactly what we are doing now. We can come together and help them emotionally and financially. He’s a fighter and I have no doubt he will fight through this and push the maximum limits to get home to Stephanie and the kids. 

With your help, no matter how much that is, every little bit will help, so they can focus solely on Mike’s Recovery. Mike will be unable to work for an extended period of time that we don’t know. Stephanie will be the only income coming into the household. Let’s come together and help relieve some of that stress for them. Thank you in advance for helping my friend Mike and his family during this very difficult time.