Dearest friends, family, and kind supporters,

My name is David Long. I’m a pianist and music educator, and about two and a half weeks ago I was in a serious car accident that caused severe injuries to my right hand—injuries that now put my ability to play, teach, and earn a living at risk.

Another driver ran a red light, and I T-boned his car. The airbag deployed directly into my right hand, causing 10 fractures across my thumb, wrist, and arm, along with severed tendons and nerves.

At Stanford Medical Center, doctors told me my thumb was nearly torn off and might need to be amputated. I underwent an 8-hour reconstructive surgery (bone fixation, tendon repair, and nerve work), and thankfully, they were able to save my thumb. I now have hardware holding everything in place, but there is still significant uncertainty around long-term function and sensation. At the moment, much of my thumb, especially the part that grips, has no feeling.

Recovery has been intense. I’ve had multiple ER visits due to severe nerve pain and complications, along with ongoing medication adjustments just to make things manageable. I’m currently relying on my left hand, which also has a hairline fracture in the distal radius, making even basic daily tasks difficult.

Because of these injuries, I’m unable to work, and our household income has been significantly impacted. To make matters more difficult, my state disability claim was recently denied. This has created an unexpected financial strain at the same time that medical costs and daily living needs are increasing.

As a musician and educator, everything I do depends on fine motor control and sensation in my hands. It’s still unclear how much I’ll regain. I likely won’t have answers for several months, after bone healing, a second surgery to remove hardware, and a long stretch of rehabilitation that could take up to a year.

How your support helps:

Donations will go toward:

* Medical bills and ongoing treatment

* Medications and pain management

* Daily living expenses during recovery

* Rehabilitation and future procedures

I normally wouldn’t ask for help, but given the circumstances, I’m reaching out. Any support, whether through a donation or simply sharing this page, means more than I can express.

I also want to acknowledge how incredible my wife, Melanie, has been. She’s been indispensable through all of this, staying strong and taking care of everything. Our running joke is that she now suddenly has two kids… and honestly, it’s not far off. My father, Philip, has also been a constant source of support, spending countless hours with me in the ER throughout this ordeal.

The road ahead is long, but there are positive signs, and I’m committed to doing everything I can to recover.

Thank you for your kindness and support.

With gratitude,

David