Throughout the time Audrae Barnes underwent high-risk surgery to remove a nickel-sized tumor near his brain stem followed by various forms of therapy, the transportation director for Hattiesburg (Miss.) Public School District still had school buses on his mind.
“He has been through quite an ordeal and he still has unspeakable joy for and worries about his drivers and the state of transportation,” said Leonard Swilley, state director of student transportation at the Mississippi Department of Education. “When he was finally able to respond to me through conversation, one of his first questions was, ‘Have all the routes been covered?’”
Barnes, who Swilley called “one of the state’s most highly respected transportation professionals,” had surgery last October and returned home Feb. 7 after months of intense speech, occupational and physical therapy, along with the occasional recreational outing (for details on his diagnosis and recovery, click here).
Aside from his department title, Barnes has been past president twice for the Mississippi Pupil Transportation Association and served on the state’s minimum standards committee. He also has been a frequent speaker and trainer throughout the state.
Swilley noted that Barnes is a “wonderful resource to local school districts.” He’s trained bus drivers from his district and others, including Head Start drivers.
“He’s very passionate about training,” Swilley added. “I’ve known him for a number of years. He began as an assistant then moved his way up, but has always been very involved. He’s a great individual who had a remarkable ending to his story.”
During his recovery at the hospital, Barnes received a wealth of support from family and friends. Now that he’s at home, he has been undergoing outpatient therapy at a local hospital three days a week.
“It’s been OK,” said Barnes of his time at home. He is anxious to return to work doing what he loves best. In the meantime, though, he’s still in the loop with what’s going on in the Hattiesburg transportation department. He calls in to his terminal manager every day to make sure things are running smoothly. Three to four times a week Barnes also speaks with the shop foreman, who’s helping fill his role.
“I’m hoping to return July 1. I’m in the process of walking, and my therapist is trying me with a cane,” Barnes said. “I won’t mind walking into the office with a cane. My goal is just to go to work and be there.”
Editor’s Note: Photo shows Audrae Barnes at work. The photo was taken sometime before his surgery.
