My name is Denise Burne Fein and I am one of two sisters left behind by the tragic passing of our younger and only brother, Matt Burne. Matt was eight years my junior and the light of my life. He was, and will always be, more special to me than words can ever express.
After our parents divorced in 1971, we were reared by our father. Being an older, doting sister, I helped to raise Matt. I watched over and out for him.......and we were literally connected at the hip. My childhood friends and teachers can attest to this. So, on the day we lost Matt I lost more than a brother: I lost someone for whom I had been responsible: someone I would have gone to the ends of the Earth for: someone I protected and loved more than life.
Matt was a pillar in our family and community. He was generous, kind, and always fought for the under-dog. He always reached out to help those in need. However, when it was his time to seek help, he reached out and was tragically and irreversibly failed. This is the ultimate insult, travesty and irony to how and why he perished. Matt helped so many yet was failed in his time of need. Life is not fair.
I started my organization (BTS) as a response to what I believe are injustice, lack of accountability and senseless and preventable losses that occur from gaping cracks that exist in our mental health system. I am fighting hard to give my precious brother a voice: to fight the fight that he can no longer fight for himself. I am working hard for all of those who have needlessly lost their lives while seeking care, support and treatment in hospitals and treatment facilities.
My brother was a solid and stellar young man. He hit an
isolated, momentary
hard time in his life and died three short months later. I believe with the correct intervention, treatment and care Matt would be alive today, restored to his healthy self and thriving. For this reason alone, I must do what I've set out to do.
Had I been the one who died that day at THE MEADOWS in Wickenburg, Arizona, I know Matt would be fighting vigilantly for me. He'd be giving me a voice and working paintstakingly to right all the wrongs he possibly could. Matt was brilliant and knew how to get things done. He was a Renaissance man. I look to his energy daily for strength, wisdom, guidance and perseverance.
Since I am interested in, and soliciting information about, the credentials and licensing of individuals listed on this web site, in all fairness I have provided mine below. They are:
University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Cum Laude (1981)
Criminology
Graduate Student/Teaching-Research Assistant
1981-1982
Sociology Department
Master of Science Degree (1986)
Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant
Criminal Justice
Adjunct Faculty Positions held at:
Towson University, Towson, MD
University of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
Marywood University, Scranton, PA
Lackawanna Junior College, Scranton, PA
Keystone College, LaPlume, PA
Matt, Shelley (above) and Me, April 21, 1991
