Moving Forward: PROJECT SMITH

On August 13, 2018, Tristan Smith left home for work as he always had.  He and his adorable wife, Lindsay and six beautiful children, anticipated the upcoming process of building a new home.  Their present home was under contract to be sold.  At work, Tristan along with two other men were doing survey work near Smoky Canyon Mine.  Early in the day while flying over Caribou National Forest west of Star Valley, Wyoming, their plane went down.  Tristan and the pilot were transported by helicopter to an area hospital and the third passenger was mostly unharmed.

It is the details of the story that make it worth telling.  The unharmed passenger ran from the crash site to a tall peak to call for help, knowing that the pilot and Tristan would bleed to death if help didn't come soon.  When help did come, Tristan was fully conscious.  He suffered severe damage to his head.  His skull was fractured.  There were bone fragments lodged in his brain and part of the brain tissue had to be surgically removed.  Only fourteen days after the accident, Tristan walked out of the hospital.  The removal of part of the frontal lobe of his brain did nothing to alter the functioning of his mind.  However, the damage to the upper portion of his head has damaged his eyes.  This twin brother of Superman is now totally blind.

Moving forward, not backward is what has helped him recover, knowing it would also help his family recover.  With help from friends, Tristan and Lindsay have acquired all necessary permits on faith that building a home would be possible.

His friends and family are hoping that supporters from Star Valley and surrounding areas, especially local and not so local builders, electricians, plumbers, etc. would be willing to come together with money, materials, and labor to build their home.

There is an account set up for Tristan Smith at First Bank.  Donations can be sent to First Bank  314 Washington Street  Afton, Wyoming 83110

There will be a dinner/fundraiser/live auction held in Afton, Wyoming at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds for the Smith Family on Saturday November 10, 2018.  The fundraiser will begin at 5:30 pm.  

If you would like to help with the building project or with the fundraiser please contact us through the Facebook group  Moving Forward: PROJECT SMITH

Please donate to this wonderful cause for this beautiful family!  Thank you to everyone!