First Responder Needs Your Help Now

Hi. Our names are Rolf and Earlene. We are fundraising for the daughter of a long-time, dear friend of Earlene's. Linsey Long is a Paramedic for an EMS service in Wilmington, NC. She has served as a first responder for a total of 8 years. When she isn’t responding to others’ emergencies, Linsey is enjoying outdoor activities, especially riding her motorcycle.

On September 11, 2021 (9/11, ironically), her world was turned upside down. While out riding her motorcycle, a drunk driver crossed over the center line of a 2-lane road into oncoming traffic and struck a truck head-on that was in front of Linsey and her friend, causing a horrific accident. Both Linsey and her friend sustained multiple serious injuries on their motorcycles. Linsey’s bike and her friend’s bike were totaled. Linsey spent a week in the hospital and had to have multiple surgeries to repair the damage. She suffered a dislocated shoulder, two fractures in her shoulder, a broken wrist and injuries to both knees. She has a very long road to recovery ahead. She had her first surgery while in the hospital and now has a plate and multiple screws in her left wrist. On November 5th, she had surgery on her right shoulder to repair a severely torn labrum, torn ligaments, as well as other damage. She is now in painful rehabilitation attempting to regain full use of her arms. She is trying to keep her spirits high as she battles regaining strength and function in her arms. She does so in hopes of soon being able to return to work so she can continue serving her community as a Paramedic.

Since 9/11, Linsey has been out of work and in extreme pain with both arms out of commission. In an instant, she went from complete independence and being able to care and provide for herself and her mother, to utter dependence on others and requiring help for every task. During this time, Linsey has been unable to work. Her paid-time-off (PTO) was used up rapidly, and her long-term disability (LTD) insurance has not yet started to pay. As a result, Linsey has not been able to cover her rent, car payment, other living expenses, and even food costs without donations from others. Her medical bills are extensive. While insurance should cover a good portion of these costs eventually, Linsey is really struggling to make ends meet now. Her FMLA ended December 4th and her insurance will drop soon. In addition, her mother has lost income and continues to do so as she has had to be the primary caregiver (24/7 for long periods of time) as Linsey has been unable to care for herself and insurance would not cover an in-home caregiver.

Please consider helping this First Responder who now needs to be the one being helped instead of being the helper. Thank you!