Many of you may know my dear friend Herschel Smith. In the past year or so, Herschel has had difficulty with foot pain due to a slow healing wound. Recently, he was diagnosed with Peripheral Artery Disease and his cardiologist placed stents in his left leg to get blood circulating to his foot. After surgery, he continued to be in significant pain and noticed his foot was becoming discolored on top. He called the doctor and they said it was normal. After more time with continued pain and feeling like something wasn't right, he went for a follow up and the surgeon recommended he be taken to the emergency room as it wasn't looking normal. He was admitted right away. The doctors determined the stent had become infected and had put a hole in his artery, causing the infection to drain into his calf. His foot began slowly dying due to lack of blood flow.

Herschel has spent the past month and a half in the hospital while the doctors treated the infection in order to try to save his foot. Unfortunately the treatment was to no avail. Herschel and Lauren received the devastating news that Herschel will need to have his foot amputated on 6/26/25. The irony is that, while his foot is dying on top, his original wound on the bottom of his foot is continuing to receive blood, and is finally looking good. Needless to say, this has been a sudden and devastating shock for Herschel and Lauren.

As many of you know, Lauren and Herschel work for themselves and own a successful photography and video business. Lauren and Herschel share responsibilities and are true partners in the business. With Herschel being unable to work, there has been a significant strain on finances, as they have had to outsource to others for help on jobs that require two cameras and for assistance with editing. Lauren will continue to run the business as Herschel takes the time to recover, but they may be limited in the number and types of jobs they will be able to take.

At this time there is a lot that is unknown for Herschel. He will be in the hospital for sometime and then will be in rehabilitation for physical and occupational therapy to support his recovery and independence in the coming months.

Before he is able to go home, Herschel and Lauren's home will need to be modified to make his transition home easier. They will need adaptive equipment, such as a motorized recliner with a lift, walker, wheelchair, and modifications for the bathroom. There will also be significant medical bills, prosthetics, along with regular living expenses. Your support will allow Herschel and Lauren to focus on recovery and take the pressure off of mounting expenses as he heals.

The medical and emotional implications are high and these costs are unexpected, but very necessary to Herschel's recovery. Herschel is a man who would do anything to help a friend. To know Herschel is to love him.

Please help support Herschel's recovery. All donations will go directly to Herschel and Lauren. Thank you in advance for any support, big or small.

Thank you,

Angela Holub