Medical for Kevin Smiley Short

My name is Rick Pernell and I am fundraising for my friend

Kevin "Smiley" Short

Smileys Steps to Recovery 

As many of you know my name is Sophie, also known as Smileys daughter! My family and I come to you for help in this time of hardship. 

Kevin (Smiley) sustained a gunshot wound to his right leg on Friday January 13th and was taken to UCMC for extensive medical treatment. He was taken into an 8 hour emergency surgery with no pulse to his right lower extremity as the orthopedic and Vascular surgeons made their best attempt to save the right leg. The surgeons stated there were two bullets that shattered his right Tibula and Fibula and that a rod and plate would need to be placed to stabilize the leg. More importantly they were concerned about the circulation and vasculature of the leg. Surgeons decided that the best treatment plan would be to perform Peripheral Vascular Bypass where they took an artery from the left lower extremity and placed it in his right lower extremity in hopes to bypass the damaged arteries and improve blood circulation with little confidence that this would allow him to keep the leg due to the significant damage from the gunshots. With any surgery there are many risks but we knew that Smiley (Kevin) would want to do all that’s possible to keep his leg! Although doctors have ruled it non- life threatening, at this point, there are still many obstacles that lye ahead. Unfortunately, Kevin has been in and out of surgery for the past past week fighting to keep his right lower extremity and remain infection free. As you can imagine, this is a life changing event for himself and so many that surround him. There will be extensive physical therapy/rehabilitation, additional vascular surgeries and possible orthopedic surgeries, additional treatments/tests, and emotional and financial struggles in his future with no health insurance to help lift any burdens. Those of you who know my dad and I know how much we depend on our physical abilities; from his career in construction, boating sports, being involved in his family activities, biking across country with his Harley buddies, to being in the middle of building our new home! Along with the struggle of basic daily activities, from walking, driving, and other daily tasks will be a long journey. With many obstacles and adversities to overcome my dad is leaning on those who surround him to lift some of life’s hardest burdens to make time to focus on maintaining his health to be able to eventually get back to a new normal. 

Your support and investment in this journey will go directly towards medical treatment and medical bills and make an immense difference for Kevin’s recovery. Our family is beyond grateful for any and all donations during this time.