Partial finger loss at work.

gkbass13 · #1 10-09-2010, 01:05 PM

So, on Tuesday afternoon, I was attacked by a student at the school I work for, and lost my right ring finger from the last knuckle up. It has been extremely frustrating, and I'm having a pretty tough time with it(in addition to all of the pain).

the student kicked a steel door closed on my hand, ad hit that joint perfectly, as the section of my finger literally popped off. My index finger was stripped of a substyantial amount of skin as well.

Reattachment wasn't an option, so basically my life will never be the same, especially as a bass player with multiple 3/4 finger techniques.

Just felt like letting the community know, and was looking for advice with coping strategies, as well as some information on how to deal with worker's comp. If my life won't ever be the same, I would hope to be compensated somehow(have done some research, but havn't spoken with my attorney yet...all of the correct procedures have, of course, been followed through my school though).

Thanks everyone,

-Grady

Let It Fall · #2 10-09-2010, 01:07 PM

wow....

Unrepresented · #3 10-09-2010, 01:11 PM

That's terrible. You have my sympathies and I hope your recovery is more full than you're concerned it will be.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath was able to reach the heights of his playing after a saw accident took off the tops of his fretting fingers. He used a prosthesis and lowered the string tension. I'm certain you'll adapt a technique that will allow you to return to playing.

ubado · #4 10-09-2010, 01:19 PM

Holy Smokes !!!... that sucks! I don't say this often, but my heart really goes out to you.

I don't have any kind of advice ... just some kind words.

Given time, I'm sure you won't skip a beat.

hover · #5 10-09-2010, 01:20 PM

Oh my God! I am so sorry to hear about this, that is terrible. What the heck is wrong with some people??!?!?!? I am glad you are otherwise ok. I cannot imagine. You know you have a support group on here tho. Good vibes for speedy healing, and I am positive that this, albeit briefly as a speedbump in the road, will propel you to even better techniques...don't let it get you down!!!!

Skitch it! · #6 10-09-2010, 01:21 PM

Sorry to hear about that experience, that must have been a hell of a shock. I do know a bassist whom lost his right hand middle finger in a work accident and adapted to the situation very, very well. Take it easy ; )

fingertap · #7 10-09-2010, 01:22 PM

OP:

Do not be discouraged. I know that I can play with just one fretting finger. Although I have never tried, I am sure I could manage with even less than one. Have you heard or seen Bill Clements?

~

GregC · #8 10-09-2010, 01:28 PM

Oh man! I'm very sorry to hear this. Take care of yourself, especially the mental aspects. Make sure to get the support you need.

It might take time, but I'm sure you can find ways to adapt. Maybe a prosthesis will work, or using other fingers, or picking. I've seen Bill Clements live several times, he's truly inspirational.

Best of luck, and keep us updated.

Jim Nazium · #9 10-09-2010, 01:31 PM

Bro, my impression from reading your post (which admittedly isn't much information) is that you are already handling it in a mature, healthy way. There are no threats to kill the kid or cut off his finger in retaliation. There is no mention of suing the school, the kid's parents, the door manufacturer, etc. And there doesn't seem to be any self pity.

With a good attitude, which you seem to have, you'll be fine. In fact, limiting yourself to two picking fingers might even encourage you to think about "saying more with less", and might make you an even better player.

Best of luck to you.

**john turner** · #10 10-09-2010, 01:32 PM

wow, dude, i can't imagine how hard that would be to deal with.

you have my best wishes.

what happened to the student?

funkydjembe · #11 10-09-2010, 01:54 PM

man! that's terrible. If it happened to me, I would be at least glad it didn't happen to my left ring finger. Our fingers are all we have.

Absentia · #12 10-09-2010, 02:34 PM

Sorry to hear that, thank god it wasn't the left.
Well since you can't take the kids finger (or at least wait till he tries to pick up guitar)... don't mourne the loss move on.

You're human and like Bill Clements, you'll find a way.
I for one would like to know more about the story, I work in a school too where I requently breakup fights but hardly ever a student attacking staff.

Please tell me they at let you keep it in a jar.

BurningSkies · #13 10-09-2010, 02:40 PM

Simply awful. What a very horrible thing to have happen, no matter who.

I guess the very small silver lining is that you can still play bass and have a normal life once you get out the other side of this... I know that it won't be a short journey either...

I have a friend and she has one arm that terminates at the elbow and she's completely un-phased by anything that life throws at her. I also know someone who lacks both thumbs and still rocks a professional life, family, and every other thing that people do.

Get ready for 'shop teacher' jokes though...

electracoyote · #14 10-09-2010, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkbass13

So, on Tuesday afternoon, I was attacked by a student at the school I work for, and lost my right ring finger from the last knuckle up. It has been extremely frustrating, and I'm having a pretty tough time with it(in addition to all of the pain).

the student kicked a steel door closed on my hand, ad hit that joint perfectly, as the section of my finger literally popped off. My index finger was stripped of a substyantial amount of skin as well.

Reattachment wasn't an option, so basically my life will never be the same, especially as a bass player with multiple 3/4 finger techniques.

Just felt like letting the community know, and was looking for advice with coping strategies, as well as some information on how to deal with worker's comp. If my life won't ever be the same, I would hope to be compensated somehow(have done some research, but havn't spoken with my attorney yet...all of the correct procedures have, of course, been followed through my school though).

Thanks everyone,

-Grady

Man, I am so sorry to hear this. I understand your frustration. I have sustained a few permanent alterations to my hands over the course of my playing career, and it always puts me in a funk for a long time. Your hands are your tools, and re-learning how to use your tools takes a lot of time, determination, and energy.

After a bizarre snow shoveling episode, my right thumb went numb and a permanent lump developed on the thumb muscle of my right hand. It seriously impacted my ability to play, but I'm working around it. Just today, I was walking my Great Dane, he saw a squirrel and bolted, and at the moment my right index finger is the size of a bratwurst. I just hate hand injuries of all kinds, even a splinter ruins my day.

I know this is small consolation, but you really gotta think of Django in moments like this. Your musicianship is only partially in your hands, but it is mainly in your head. You are still a musician, and you'll be one until the day you die.

One of my students is a woodworker who, many years ago, lost the tip of his third finger, left hand (his fretting hand). When he first came to me, he was very reluctant to use that finger in all the scales, exercizes, and songs we would learn and play. I kept on him about using it. It had healed nicely and it was perfectly useable, just in a different way. He finally got his head around it, and it's now a matter of a little extra hand motion but he can definitely play with that finger, quickly and accurately. He's much better off than he was just sidelining that finger.

I assume you are right handed. If so, it may be the lesser of the two evils. I would much rather sustain an injury to my picking hand than my fretting hand.

Where there's a will, there's a way. Keep your chin up, heal quickly, and get back on that bass bike and ride as soon as you're able.

MIJ-VI · #15 10-09-2010, 08:04 PM

Damn...

I expect that your love of playing will soon reassert itself and you'll adapt and overcome.

James Jamerson did OK with one plucking finger and you still have three.

What the hell is wrong with some kids today?..