Michael DeLong

Michael was a 21 year old man working as an HVAC and Refrigeration Technician. He always wanted to work for the family business, DeLong Service Company. He attended Penn College of Technology and graduated on December 6, 2023 and embarked with much enthusiasm on a new career.

Michael has many hobbies. He likes to fish, hunt, hike, travel and cook. Michael played football in high school at Council Rock North. He still has the size and stature of an athlete but what is even bigger is his heart. Michael is a gentle giant, kind, determined and failure not an option attitude. He is quite extraordinary.

On 1/12/2024 while test driving a car with friends a malfunction caused a devastating accident and Michael sustained a C6 fracture which left him paralyzed from the chest down.

Before going into surgery Michael said “Don’t worry mom, I will walk again.” To be honest I never had a doubt. Michael is a person who puts his heart and soul into everything he does and always has accomplished everything he set out to do… so this was no different just a bigger challenge that would require more discipline and dedication. When Dr. Sahai came out of surgery he was hopeful. That was what we needed to hear. As the days went on he was optimistic but Michael needed at a minimum 15 hours of Physical therapy and 10 hours a week of Occupational Therapy.

Despite a brutal road to recovery, an uncertain medical future and the resistance of Insurance companies to cooperate, Michael set out on a journey to walk again. In a grueling rehabilitation, Michael first adapted to and then ditched his wheelchair. He did the same with his walker and has gotten to the point where he is walking with just the assistance of a single crutch and sometimes nothing at all.

Despite his progress, there is still a long road of challenges and triumphs ahead and Michael’s Insurance contributes less and less to Michael’s recovery each year and the therapies he will need to live a full life are very expensive. In that vein, we ask for any donations to help Michael on his journey. We are blessed that we have Michael and his recovery is nothing short of miraculous. Please follow Michael’s journey on Instagram at trails.tribulation and stay turned for his new endeavor The Crippled Pickle.

Family and friends of Michael DeLong are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with a Catastrophic Injury. Michael has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.