Hello everyone, my name is Amy

Nelson and I’m reaching out today about my nephew Kaanan Longey who is only 19 years young. He lives in the town of Union and is also an employee at the Stafford Springs Big Y. In the early morning hours on Wednesday August 6th, Kaanan was on his way home when he crossed into the oncoming lane of traffic and hit a rock, sending his car rolling several times and ejecting him from the vehicle. Due to the quick response of our first responders he is miraculously still here, but fighting for his life. He is currently at Saint Francis Medical Center in Hartford with his amazing doctors and nurses giving him around the clock care. He has already had one surgery to remove a fractured piece of his skull and to allow his brain to swell with space if necessary. He is on a breathing machine while he is heavily sedated but is trying to breathe on his own here and there. He is making progress that his doctors are happy with and trying to speak, squeeze hands, and even trying to sit up. He has a fractured face, broken places in his back, heel and ribs. We found out today he has a partially collapsed lung but hopefully that will not affect recovery. As you can imagine this road is going to be long and difficult with unexpected obstacles along the way. He will need multiple surgeries that we cannot even begin to count right now, along with multiple types of therapy that will probably range from physical, occupational, and maybe speech as well. A lot is unknown right now. We are praying and hoping that he is a strong boy who will fight to make it through this. Erica, Darryl and the kids as well as all of us are trying to be strong as we brave these uncharted waters. Kaanan does have insurance, but there will be unexpected days off of work, fuel and parking costs, among who knows what else in the future. We aren’t sure yet about what will be covered for Kaanan’s therapies and what equipment he will need. If you have the means or would like to help make a donation for Kaanan it would help them out greatly. However, prayers and words of encouragement and support are just as meaningful, as well as sharing this link with others. I will try and post updates as we receive them and let’s all keep Kaanan in our thoughts please.