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I am writing on behalf of Kenneth J Smith, the husband of Christine Smith and father of Benjamin and Leon Smith. Ken was in the Army for 10 years and then became an engineer and mechanic on the Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway where he worked for 12 years .He was also a volunteer firefighter in Security, CO for 10 years.
Ken suffered a life changing spinal cord injury and broken neck in a motorcycle accident in March 2008. Ken was forced off the road by a hit and run driver who was talking on a cell phone. That driver was never caught. Now a quadriplegic with no use of his legs or left arm and very limited use of his right arm, Ken has spent 4+ months in medical and rehab facilities.
In spite of the many struggles that he faces including the loss of 60% of their income, Ken remains hopeful that he will be able to return to a productive life in the community through the support of family and friends. He and Chris have had to have extensive remodeling work done to their Security Colorado home to make it accessible for Ken. More work still needs to be done so Ken can continue with his rehab at home. Ken is hoping to enter an intensive therapy program that will strengthen his body and help him regain as much function in his arms and legs as possible.
Chris and Ken are hoping to have an addition on their home which will allow Ken to continue with his daily therapy which will provide him greater mobility and independence. The cost of the additional renovation is approximately $50,000. To assist with this expense and other injury related expenses a fundraising campaign has been established with the catastrophic injury program of HelpHOPELive. HelpHOPELive is a nonprofit organization that has been serving the transplant and catastrophic injury community for nearly 30 years. All contributions are tax deductible and are administered for injury-related expenses only.
The most immediate need currently is an accessible van to replace the original used van which has become unreliable mechanically lately. We’re having trouble with the brakes, radiator, power-steering and driver side window!
If you are able to and would like to contribute to this campaign, it would be greatly appreciated!
Make checks payable to:
HelpHOPELive
Print in memo section:
In honor of Ken J. Smith
Send to:
HelpHOPELive
Two Radnor Corporate Center
100 Matsonford Road, Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087
For you convenience, HelpHOPELive is also able to accept credit card contributions by calling them at 1-800-642-8399 or by clicking the DONATE NOW button.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
With sincere gratitude,
Christine Smith
719-392-0354 home
719-205-6647 cell
[email protected]
2018 was a ruff year for Ken. At the end of 2017 the VA replaced the base of Kens’ chair. We where grateful for the new wheelchair base the VA provided for Kens’s chair. Sadly the base had to be replaced after United Airlines dropped his chair at least twice on outlast trip. United did pay for the damage that was visible, but we did not know about the motor/battery damage.The VA decided to replace the base unite of the chair. Sadly when the VA put Kens seat on the new base they changed the position of the seat. Ken told the VA that the seat was on the wrong position. The VA rep told us we did not know what we where talking about and that Ken will get use to the chair. Very quickly Ken started to get the beginnings of pressure sores. We told the VA about the issues but where ignored. In November Ken nearly died. He was admitted to the hospital for a ruptured stomach. He survived emergence surgery. Thankfully his recovery was faster than expected. But the pressure sores erupted too critical because of Kens weakened conditioned. As a result Ken was admitted to a VA hospital in February for treatment of the the now critical pressure sores. He was in Albuquerque for two months before they informed us that they could not do the needed surgery for the pressure sores. VA moved Ken to Virginia for three months for surgery and recovery. Then back to Albuquerque for more recovery. All told Ken was in VA hospitals for 9 months of 2018. 9 months is better than the 18 months they wanted to keep him. Because of Ken being in the hospitals for 9 months I lost all of my income for that 9 months on top of everything. The VA pays me to care for Ken and any time he is in a hospital my pay stops.
To complicate life even more I was in an accident in April of 2019. Not only was my only car totaled, I was injured. Now I am looking at neck surgery very soon. We are looking for a place to care for Ken doing my recovery. We are hoping for a quick recovery for me as we can not have the loss of income if the recovery is long.
It is hard to believe it has been 9 years since my hit and run accident that left me a c-5 quad. Doctors told me I would be lucky to live 5 years. It has not been easy. In 2012, I had to have emergency surgery to remove a very big bladder stone that nearly killed me with sepsis. In 2014, I underwent another surgery so I could continue to breathe on my own. In 2015 Chris decided to stay home to care for me full time. With the love of my wife and sons, I continue to do well. Thank you to all who continue to donate to my fund. It has been a big help.
Thank you to one and all who made donation to help cover the cost of getting a newer van. We now have a van that will allow Ken to enter and exit without smashing his head and jamming his neck. We greatly appreciate all of your help. With your help we have also been able to cover some more of Ken continuing medical costs.
As of 2014 Ken has had to under go an additional surgery on his neck that allowed Ken to continue to breath on his own. Ken has had other medical issues over the last few years that have put him close to death. While this surgery has helped Ken greatly we realize our time together may be limited. We are now in urgent need of replacing the only vehicle we have. Ken also wishes to visit his family on the east cost and we are hoping to go for a visit very soon.
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Ken, Jim and I are so happy you recovered from your surgery this summer. Thank God for Christine and everything she does for you and your family. God Bless you both. Crystal
Crystal Smith
Hope all is well and the campaign is successful. I'm a friend of Jimmy's & Crystal's.
Deann Walter
How all is well with the family and you. Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. Take care
Crystal
Hi Ken, Hope Christine and you have a wonderful Christmas. Take care. Go Jimmie Johnson!
Crystal
Love you and pray for you. Your wife, Christine's dedication to you is really great. We pray for the use of your upper body asap. Love, your dad & mom.
John &Marianna Smith,Moneta, VA
Ken, You are always in our thoughts and prayers.
John & Mary Lynn Ferma, Ellicott City, MD (Crystal''s sister)
Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Ken J. Smith
Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087
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