Veteran Omaha firefighter Tom Bartek has dedicated his professional career to serving and protecting the lives of others. He filled his free time pursuing another adrenaline-fueled activity: bull riding. Tom combined his two passions by competing in an annual charity bull riding event for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. On Aug. 4, 2018, just moments into his eight second ride on the back of Hells Bells, he and the bull collided.
Despite wearing a helmet and facemask, Tom sustained a severe brain injury, spending nearly a week in a medically induced coma. Tom’s wife, Deanna, kept family, friends and the Omaha community updated on Tom’s condition through a CaringBridge page. Six days later, she posted news that Tom was heading to Madonna’s Omaha Campus to get his life back. Tom’s accident and hospitalization left him extremely weak, especially on his left side. Early on he
struggled with his new reality of relearning simple tasks like tying a shoelace. “I would get really mad and frustrated and then scared thinking, ‘Will I ever be able to do this again?’” Tom asked.
Impaired speech, eating and swallowing also proved difficult to overcome. Speech therapists incorporated Tom’s carnivorous tastes into his care plan, beginning with power bars and beef jerky sticks before graduating to a steak dinner. Tom also worked to improve his focus and concentration. Physical therapists turned to specialized technology developed at Madonna called the ICARE which allowed Tom to regain the strength and stamina needed for his career as a firefighter, husband and father to his kids, Josie and Gabe.
While family and faith played a huge part in his recovery, Tom says fellow patients also proved inspiring. His determination never wavering, Tom continued working hard and fine tuning his skills in outpatient therapy, thankful that Madonna was just down the street from his home. Just eight months after his accident, Tom returned to active duty with his work family at Fire
Station 31 in South Omaha, thankful to Madonna and the staff who were instrumental in helping him get his life back.
“Everything I do on a daily basis is thanks to the awesome people who helped me out immensely just to do simple things you take for granted,” Tom said.
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