JAMAICA Constabulary Force (JCF) constable, Winston Burke, has been off the job since last November, after severely damaging sections of his spine.

He wants to get back to serving, protecting and reassuring, but cannot unless he undergoes surgery— an L4-L5 Discectomy for Cauda Equina Decompression.

The L4-L5 are the two lowest vertebrae in the lumbar spine, and together with the attached disc, joints, nerves and soft tissues, it provides a variety of functions, including supporting the upper body and allowing motion in multiple directions.

The L4-L5 disc, in between the L4 and L5 vertebrae, can herniate or degenerate, leading to possible leg pain (sciatica) and/or lower back pain.

“I am homesick from last November. I am unable to sit, stand or walk for more than a minute,” he said.

As a result, Burke said he is desperately in need of the surgery because the pain of a damaged L4-L5 disc worsens daily. He is appealing for assistance to undergo the surgery.

“I don’t know what else to do I’m in so much pain,” he told the Jamaica Observer North & East in a recent interview.

Burke, who is assigned to the Community Safety and Security Branch of the JCF in St Ann, is appealing for approximately $1.8 million as his insurance company will only cover a small portion of the $2.3 million cost.

He told Observer North & East that he has been trying ways to raise the money by putting his songwriting skills to work. He has been writing, singing and recording songs, which he then burns on to a CD and sells. He has also received assistance from his co-workers.

While eager to be out of pain, the policeman is more eager to get back to work.

Burke, who was instrumental in a police job fair held in Ocho Rios last April, said he is still working on plans for another job fair to be hosted by the CSS Branch later this year despite being ill.

Although he is at home, he is not giving up on this initiative which he believes can help to reduce crime and violence.

Thousands of people attended the fair last year and many were gainfully employed. Burke, who initiated the job fair said he realised that many young people were unemployed and so were more likely to become involved in criminal activities.

The job fair was a success and he is hoping that the surgery can be done so that he can do even more for the youth of St Ann.

He said companies that want to participate may contact him.

Also, people who wish to assist Burke may do so by making a donation to 584257849 NCB, Ocho Rios branch.

— Renae Dixon