The Matt Smith Leg Project


Thank you in advance for taking time to read my story,

My name is Matt Smith. I currently live in Round Lake, IL with my wife Jennifer, my daughter Samantha, who is currently enrolled in college at Tiffin University in Ohio, and our dogs Moose (Chihuahua) & Fred (Bassett).

While on a hunting trip in Ohio where I grew up, I developed a E-coli infection in my left foot necessitating a one week stay in the local hospital. One day after my return to Illinois, I was admitted to Condell due to spread of the infection.

After another week of treatment it was determined that the infection had entered the bone and amputation would be required. Between the hospital and rehab center I was admitted for two months before finally returning home.

Due to an FLMA error on the part of my employer my salary continued while a dialogue was ensued with the insurance company. The payment for disability insurance was withheld every week from my paycheck but the paperwork was not completed. The day after the insurance company denied my claim, my employer sent out a letter of termination.

We now have a quote to be fitted with a prosthetic leg but due to the lack of insurance the process is at a standstill as I am considered a 'pre-existing condition.' The cost of it alone is $13, 200.00 which once fitted, would allow me return to the job market and regain an income stream.

Due to no insurance we are paying full price for prescriptions and doctor visits, our savings are all but wiped out. We were able to install some handicapped accessible devices in the house but we don't have the resources for an access ramp. To cover me on my wife's insurance would basically take her entire take home pay.

I have always been the primary bread winner for our household. My wife Jennifer works but her hours are limited due to her own battle with cancer. She's doing her best but we're sinking fast. I've lost my truck to repossession since this has happened, and we fighting to not to loose anything else.

Our March mortgage payment is made but we will miss our payment in April unless we are able to raise some funds. Our family is in urgent need of financial help from month to month until such time that the leg is fitted, subsequent therapy is complete, and a return to the workforce can happen.

I am an experienced machining and manufacturing manager with an in depth background focused on CNC programming, mechanical fixture design for manufacturing, and tooling specifications. I have managed groups of people ranging from 5 to 50 in number. The biggest limiting factor due to the amputation is my ability to physically perform operations at the machining centers. I am still more than capable of performing all administrative duties that I was responsible for. I am quite capable of driving myself as needed even without the leg, but cannot manage roles that require routine standing in a manufacturing environment without being fitted for the prosthetics.

With your help with funding, I’d like to begin supporting my family again with full time employment by August 1, 2018.

I am humbled by your interest in potentially helping our family during this time,

Thank-you,

Matt Smith
([email redacted])