SEVERAL CITED AS SUCCESSFUL IN REHABILITATION AFTER INJURY

A year ago, Arthur Lynn Burchyett turned over his tractor, injuring his spine and leaving him paralyzed.

This week, a year after his accident, Burchyett was named to the Wall of Fame at St. Francis Medical Center for his success in rehabilitation.

Nine months after the accident, Burchyett, a master mechanic, was back at work in his wheelchair at his shop in the Union County Wildlife Refuge.

Those nine months were spent preparing to return to work with help from therapists at St. Francis.

Just after the accident, lying in his hospital bed, Burchyett worried about what kind of life was ahead for him.

"Finally I got myself together and decided I have been dealt this, I have to handle it," he said after a ceremony Thursday in observance of National Rehabilitation Week.

Burchyett, whose friends call him Lynn or "Red," serves as an inspiration to other patients, said therapists at the medical center. And he never once complained about the exercises and therapy prescribed.

"No use to," Burchyett said. "I always tried to do more. That's the only way to get ahead. They can't do it for you."

Returning to work was Burchyett's goal almost from the first day. "I always liked to work," he said. "I work all the time. That was my recreation."

Burchyett's employers at the Union County Refuge also received an award for their work to get him back on the job.

He is employed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources as the mechanic for three areas in Union County: Horseshoe Lake, Mermet Conservation Area and Union County Wildlife Refuge. He is responsible for all the repairs on equipment used at the three locations.

Dick Nance, Burchyett's supervisor, said, "My main concern was to get `Red' back."

The refuge installed wheelchair ramps, lowered workbenches and added an accessible restroom for Burchyett. Nance said a number of other changes are in the works, including specialized tools. The employer is also investigating a wheelchair that would allow Burchyett to stand up at work.

"He has always been very professional," Nance said. "He has a lot of responsibility and he handles it well. He really is an inspiration."

Burchyett said, "There are ways of making things work if a person wants to do it. I know it gets hard and you get down, but if you just keep plugging, it will come around. It takes a lot of hard work."

Also named to the medical center's Wall of Fame was Steve Waltemate, who lives near Sparta, Ill. A blood vessel ruptured in his brain in July 1994 and affected his vision, balance, ability to walk and care for himself. He has returned to his hometown and his job with plans to return to an additional part-time job.

Sister Claudia Glasser received the Spirit of Rehabilitation Award for her support of services for the disabled throughout her career.

Also honored on Thursday:

-- Mary Billmeyer, sponsor for the stroke club.

-- Kip Lyeria of the Southern Illinois Surgical Appliance.

-- Dr. Edward Snider, a member of the Greater Illinois-Missouri Paraplegic Society (GIMPS).