The Flamingo Fund: A Leg for Greg
Donation protected
Wounded Warriors Project
On October 16th, Greg fell critically ill with a blod clot that cut off blood flow to his right foot. Less than 24 hours after going to the hospital, he woke up to learn his right leg had been amputated above the knee.
For Greg, in intense pain and heavily medicated, the next few days were a blur. He remembers signing papers and being told by his doctors and by Cheryl that he could lose a leg. He then remembers looking down at a blood-soaked, gauze-wrapped stump. It all was very surreal. Days and nights ran together. He clearly remembers the confusion about where reality ended and hallucination began. Cheryl had to keep retelling the events of the previous 48 hours: “Pain. 911. Aneurysm. Clot. Amputation.” Eventually he recovered enough to understand his new reality.
Reality for Greg is that his right leg was removed 8 inches above the knee. He has learned to walk with a walker and to use a wheelchair fairly well. He has yet to use crutches, but doing so is one of his goals. Another goal is to learn to walk with a prosthetic leg.
Greg has learned how wonderful life is and how many things he took for granted. He was pretty active before and enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking, and scuba divining. As soon as possible, Greg wants to resume the activities he once took for granted: walking, climbing stairs, driving, and visiting family and friends. But before this can happen, Greg faces a long recovery and many hours of physical and occupational therapy to learn to walk on a prosthetic leg. He also wants to return to work as soon as possible and hopes to do so before February 2015.
This is where "Team Smith" comes in. Greg and Cheryl's family and friends have established The Flamingo Fund—named for the majestic bird that often balances on one foot—to defray the couple's substantial out-of-pocket costs related to Greg's amputation. This fund will be used to help Greg and Cheryl pay for a high-functioning prosthesis, which is only partially covered by insurance. The Fund will also subsidize a stair lift, not covered by insurance, to make their home more accessible.
At the present time, donations to the Flamingo Fund will be used primarily to defray expenses related to Greg Smith's medical condition and are thus not tax-deductible. However, if more funds are raised than are needed to pay for Greg's medical-related expenses, the excess will be donated to the
, an association whose goals include providing unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members. Greg and Cheryl encourage Team Smith members and fellow flamingo fans to donate generously to the WWP and other charities supporting individuals facing medical challenges.
A message from Greg:
Do something else for me: don’t take a single thing for granted. Enjoy every stroll you take with a friend. Consider the ease with which you glide down a set of stairs. And pat yourself on the back, knowing you’ve helped me get one step closer to getting back on my feet, er, foot, again.
On October 16th, Greg fell critically ill with a blod clot that cut off blood flow to his right foot. Less than 24 hours after going to the hospital, he woke up to learn his right leg had been amputated above the knee.
For Greg, in intense pain and heavily medicated, the next few days were a blur. He remembers signing papers and being told by his doctors and by Cheryl that he could lose a leg. He then remembers looking down at a blood-soaked, gauze-wrapped stump. It all was very surreal. Days and nights ran together. He clearly remembers the confusion about where reality ended and hallucination began. Cheryl had to keep retelling the events of the previous 48 hours: “Pain. 911. Aneurysm. Clot. Amputation.” Eventually he recovered enough to understand his new reality.
Reality for Greg is that his right leg was removed 8 inches above the knee. He has learned to walk with a walker and to use a wheelchair fairly well. He has yet to use crutches, but doing so is one of his goals. Another goal is to learn to walk with a prosthetic leg.
Greg has learned how wonderful life is and how many things he took for granted. He was pretty active before and enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking, and scuba divining. As soon as possible, Greg wants to resume the activities he once took for granted: walking, climbing stairs, driving, and visiting family and friends. But before this can happen, Greg faces a long recovery and many hours of physical and occupational therapy to learn to walk on a prosthetic leg. He also wants to return to work as soon as possible and hopes to do so before February 2015.
This is where "Team Smith" comes in. Greg and Cheryl's family and friends have established The Flamingo Fund—named for the majestic bird that often balances on one foot—to defray the couple's substantial out-of-pocket costs related to Greg's amputation. This fund will be used to help Greg and Cheryl pay for a high-functioning prosthesis, which is only partially covered by insurance. The Fund will also subsidize a stair lift, not covered by insurance, to make their home more accessible.
At the present time, donations to the Flamingo Fund will be used primarily to defray expenses related to Greg Smith's medical condition and are thus not tax-deductible. However, if more funds are raised than are needed to pay for Greg's medical-related expenses, the excess will be donated to the
, an association whose goals include providing unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members. Greg and Cheryl encourage Team Smith members and fellow flamingo fans to donate generously to the WWP and other charities supporting individuals facing medical challenges.
A message from Greg:
Do something else for me: don’t take a single thing for granted. Enjoy every stroll you take with a friend. Consider the ease with which you glide down a set of stairs. And pat yourself on the back, knowing you’ve helped me get one step closer to getting back on my feet, er, foot, again.
Organizer
Aurelia Amory Scharnhorst
Organizer
Helotes, TX
