Hi. My name is Michael Buffalo Smith.

I’m living proof that ones life can completely turn on a dime. As most of you know, I have had a few medical issues over the past several years. But all of them combined could not out weigh my recent surprise ordeal.

It was mid-May and I was over halfway through laying out this issue. I had been feeling off center for several days. Something didn’t feel right. I’d been having kidney issues for the past couple of years, and seeing my nephrologist every few months. She had taken blood and met with me a week before this happened, and felt like I was on the right path.

My buddy Craig from Virginia came down for a visit, and took myself and Paul T Riddle (Marshall Tucker) and Gene Berger (Horizon Records) out for a wonderful meal in Greenville at the Bohemian restaurant. It was great fun. I love all three of those cats. I didn’t say anything but I was feeling Very weak and a bit disoriented.

After I got home, I slept from ten PM until 11 the next morning. I still felt weird. That night I spoke to a couple of friends on the phone who told me I didn’t sound good. One of my friends was begging me to let him call EMS and take me to the emergency room. Mr. “Know it all” here said no, all I need is sleep. That’s about the last thing I remember.

I’m not really sure how long I lay there, comatose, before a couple of friends tried to call and text many times with no response. Finally, one of them came over and found me unresponsive. He called EMS and they took me to the ER. When they found me I was comatose and my blood pressure was zero- clinically dead I’m writing it all, after interviewing all my friends about what happened, but suffice it to say I was in a coma for many days, during which time I was having some sort or bizarre fever dreams.Theres a lot more to the story, but the first thing I actually remember was when they loaded me into a vehicle and drove me to Spartanburg rehab where I spent about three weeks re- learning to walk, talk, remember, reason- it was like a rebirth.

After the ordeal I have been forced to spend a great deal of my disability check and all of the tiny savings I had on equipment not covered by Medicare and Medicaid. I had to buy an Apple watch, which I never dreamed I'd buy, because, paired with my iPhone, it does the same thing as a Life Alert system which is expensive and has a monthly fee. I had to purchase a rail thing to help me get up from the love seat as I work to get my legs back into shape. My old desk chair was killing my back and neck so a friend suggested a gaming chair, so I got it. Bottom line, I have spent nearly $2000 since I got home and am asking for your help (if you wish) getting over the hump. If you enjoy my free magazine, Kudzoo, or our free podcast, or my free You Tube Ambassador of Southern Rock, perhaps you are willing to donate as a "thank you." Really, anything from $5 on up. Every dollar is greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance friends. God bless you. Finally, my sincere thanks to everyone who reached out, sent love, prayers, or lent a helping hand. I am still healing, but am well on my way to being healthier than ever!Thanks again.