John Weeks prior to his accident
John Weeks is lucky to be alive.
The 49 year-old Renown Park resident suffered burns to 75% of his body when a jerry can of fuel blew up in his car after coming into contact with a phone charger. Mr Weeks was driving at the time.
Over the past 12 months he has endured 40-50 skin graft operations to his face and body, lost a finger to infection and had to re-train his body to move and walk again.
He was placed in an induced coma for four weeks and spent six months in the Royal Adelaide Hospital followed by rehabilitation at Hampstead and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital before returning home in December.
This May marks one year since Mr Weeks suffered his injuries and began the recovery process.
But despite ongoing surgery and rehabilitation as well as the need to wear a mask and full-body compression suit, he is not letting life get him down.
Mr Weeks is the recipient of a funding submission through the Julian Burton Burns Trust and National Australia Bank to help him get back on track.
The Julian Burton Burns Trust partnered with NAB last year to establish the Rebound Burns Survivor Fund to support burns survivors and their families on their road to recovery.
The Julian Burton Burns Trust works with hospital burns units to assess applications. NAB provides funding via corporate sponsorship and its own staff fundraising activities.
Mr Weeks will use his grant to replace the mobile office equipment he lost in the fire so that he can restructure his wine business development firm, Wine sans Frontieres, finish writing a book, study and pursue new career opportunities.
“Last year I was focused on survival. This year I’m focused on revival,” Mr Weeks said.
“I feel incredibly lucky that I survived. I can walk and have most of my faculties.
“I’ve been in the wine industry for more than 30 years and while I won’t be able to resume my career at the same level, I’m looking forward to discovering what I can achieve.
“My experience has broadened my perspective so I want to be constructive and give something back.
“This includes sharing my experience to increase awareness of the impact of burn injuries as well as exploring new opportunities to become a counsellor and life coach.
“The Julian Burton Burns Trust and NAB are providing wonderful support to burns survivors.
“Knowing there are organisations willing to help burns survivors as we rebuild our lives makes a big difference to our recovery.
“I’m looking forward to getting back into the world so that people can meet the new me.”
Founder of the Julian Burton Burns Trust, Julian Burton OAM, said the Rebound Burns Survivor Fund was established to help burns survivors and their families to “get back to normality” after leaving hospital.
“Burns are devastating,” he said. “They disfigure your body and the scars stay for life. This plays with your emotions and has a huge impact on the survivor and the family.
“The challenge is how you move on from your burn injuries and resume everyday life.
“The Julian Burton Burns Trust has established the Rebound Burns Survivor Fund in partnership with NAB to help burn survivors and their families rebuild their lives and get back to normality.
“Each survivor’s definition of normality will be different. For example, John wants to get back to his career, develop his business and earn an income again.
“National Australia Bank has made this Fund possible. Without NAB’s enthusiasm and commitment, burns survivors would not have access to these vital resources.”
NAB Retail State General Manager Gregg Harris said he was proud of NAB’s partnership with the Burns Trust.
“NAB is committed to community projects that make a real difference to the lives of South Australians,” he said.
“In addition to raising funds, our staff have embraced the opportunity to increase awareness of the impact of burn injuries and improve the lives of burns survivors.”
To enquire about support from the Rebound Burns Survivor Fund, contact [email protected] . To donate funds, go to www.burnstrust.com.au.
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