This dear family needs our help!

Hi my name is Trey Butler and we are raising funds for a dear friend, DT Smith and his family.

This wonderful man, husband to Kim Smith and father of six needs your support!

David Smith, fondly, known as DT was employed by Forsyth County Sheriffs Office in 1987 and he retired as a Lt Col in 2014 after 27 years of service to our community.

On Monday, Feb. 6th, 2023, DT was driving his 12 year old daughter, Sophia to school when the unexpected happened.

At approximately 7:30am DT’s truck was broadsided by another vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on the driver’s side of the truck. Sophia was fortunately sitting in the back seat on the passenger side and thank God, escaped with only minor injuries and considerable bruising from the seat belt. DT was not so fortunate.

DT and Sophia were transported by ambulance to Northeast Ga Medical Center where DT was admitted to ICU in the trauma center. Due to the severe impact on his side of the truck, DT was unable to feel or use his legs to walk. He underwent spinal surgery on Tuesday, Feb. 7th at 10 am . The surgery was to repair and check for fractures or breaks in the C2, C3, C5 & C6 areas of his spine.

By Thursday, Feb. 9th, DT was transferred to the Shepherds Spinal Center in downtown Atlanta where he was being evaluated to try and determine the scope of his injuries and the results of his surgery. The surgery was successful in that he is able to feel more of his legs and begin rehabilitation. This process will be a long and uncertain road and is the “Why” we are asking for your support.

DT is the sole provider for his family, and because he is unable to work he has been put on a FMLA “ family medical leave of absence”. DT is out of vacation and personal time off; therefore, his employer is requiring DT to pay $383.50 bi-weekly to maintain his health insurance, which is a must. The family will still be faced with the normal household expenses such as groceries, utilities, gas, prescriptions, etc. plus the cost of modifications to their home to be made wheelchair accessible before he gets discharged.

With DT unable to provide for his family at this time, the Smith family bills have been nearly impossible to pay and their debt is growing by the day. DT’s short term disability is set to begin in 6 to 8 weeks. This will allow the family some relief to help them partially cover some of their basic expenses.

Currently, DT is scheduled to be discharged on March 15th from Shepherds Spinal Center and then will be receiving outpatient physical therapy. In time, DT is expected to walk with the assistance of a walker and a caregiver. It is expected that this outpatient process could take at least four months or longer. The doctors are optimistic that his improvement will continue, and he will be able to walk, unassisted and drive again one day.

Any assistance you can afford would be deeply appreciated by this family! It’s a very humbling situation to be in and you never know, one of us could wind up in their situation one day and need a helping hand. Thank you very much, and God bless!