A Veteran's Mission for Independence: Meet Bobbie Smith

Written by Melissa Donovan

Bobbie Smith spent 10 years as a mechanic in the United States Army and another 20 working for the United States Postal Service. While Bobbie was not in a rush to stop working, he was forced to retire after developing prostate cancer. He underwent radiation therapy that ultimately saved his life, but this was just the beginning of Bobbie’s medical journey. His back also required an intricate spinal fusion surgery, and bad circulation related to his diabetes required a partial amputation of one of his feet. With all of that, Bobbie also lost one of the things that he cherished most: his freedom.

Bobbie has always been very active in his community and without a safe and accessible way to leave his house, he was not able to do things that he once enjoyed. “I’m not really a home body. I want to explore, stay busy, participate in activities, and give back to the community,” Bobbie said. He uses a motorized chair to get around his house and outside, but there was still one thing that stood in front of him and his independence: the stairs to his house. With limited resources and the desire to leave his home, Bobbie crafted a makeshift ramp that allowed him to leave his home, but was very unsafe and not fully accessible.

Although Mr. Smith makes it his mission to live as independently as possible, he still relied on regular assistance from family, friends, neighbors, roommates and daughter, who would all help him get in and out of his home.

“I had to depend on a lot of people, which is something I do not like to do,” Bobbie said.

A chair stands on top of two brick stairs- the front door of Bobbie's home is open to see inside. — The chairs at the bottom of Bobbie’s front door left him relying on a chair and his friends and neighbors to get out of his home.

With the help of ABC Prosthetics & Orthotics and their volunteer group “Limb-It-Less,” Bobbie received an aluminum ramp on February 9, 2019 that was built using donated tools from Stanley Black & Decker. The ramp was was built to not only allow Bobbie to access his home without assistance, but also to do safely. Bobbie described first seeing his ramp like the feeling of “opening up a present on Christmas day”.

“I am on the go a lot, and now I do not need any help leaving the house,” Bobbie said.

Bobbie recommends that veterans who are in similar situations to get in touch with CIL. He is very thankful and appreciative of all the work that volunteers have done for him to give him back his freedom.

Seven people stand in front of and to the sides of Bobbie Smith (in his electric wheelchair) on an aluminum ramp in front of a house. — Volunteer team “Limb-it-Less” join Bobbie on his newly assembled ramp.

Click here to donate to help more veterans like Bobbie rediscover their independence.