Collin Smith and his “Angel in Disguise”
By Liz Reichart, A&E Editor //
When you first meet Collin Smith, you can’t help but think about all of the major media outlets that have covered his story. Everyone from “ABC World News with Diane Sawyer” to “Fox and Friends,” has covered his story.
When you meet the man behind the story, you realize that the unwavering perseverance and humility he possesses is nothing short of incredible.
For those who are unfamiliar with his story, Smith was a three-sport athlete before a car accident paralyzed him from the waist down in high school.
“I was sitting there like it was a regular day in the hospital. The physical therapist came in and said ‘You’re never going to walk again.’ And then she just walked out,” Smith said.
The realization of his new permanent situation came slowly to Collin, his family, and his therapists.
“It was really traumatizing because we didn’t know the severity of what was going on with me. At first, I couldn’t move anything below my neck. There was a whole lot more optimism at the beginning,” Smith said.
With Collin in therapeutic rehabilitation, the challenges only increased logistically for his family.
“My mom was switching back and forth from North Carolina to Atlanta, where I was in rehab. She would come visit me for a week, then my dad would come, and the two would rotate on and off,” Smith said.
Kathy and Ernest Greene, members of the church the Smith family attended, sat down for a meal with Smith’s mom.
“Ernest is a very Kind-hearted, emotional person of course, and he just about sat there and cried the whole time his wife was explaining to my mom what Ernest was thinking about and what he wanted to do for me. And that’s how it all started,” Smith said.
Of course what Ernest wanted to do for Collin was to be his assistant in everything and anything he needed from a caretakers to a friend.
Ernest had to learn how take care of Collin in a day-long training class, and this is where the two first met.
That first training class proved to be the first in a long line of generous acts Ernest would partake in to improve Smith’s well being.
“Thankfully Ernest didn’t tell us this, but the day that he came down for training was his wedding anniversary. He’s really selfless,” Smith said.
Being paralyzed from the waist down has not slowed down Smith, and Ernest has made certain of that.
“We’ve had so many fantastic adventures. We went to Alaska together on a mission trip with our church. There have been a lot of neat things that I have been able to do that Ernest really had a big part of. He was my hands and feet in a lot of ways,” Smith said.
The duo have been to Baltimore, Atlanta, New York City, and Washington D.C., just to name a few.
Collin did not hold back when news outlets asked him to share his story. There was a story to be told. There was an angel in his life that needed to be honored.
“God provides at the same time, so I thought it was a great point for God to get credit at the same time, which he should. It was cool to see at the same time what amazing things can happen through some of the hardest times. The fact that something like a car accident can turn around and be a story told nationwide is a neat concept,” Smith said.
“Ernest is like my father, my grandfather, my great-grandfather, and my mentor. He’s got it all. I was around him everyday, all the time, and we’re 50 years apart. But in a way, he was a friend at the same time,” Smith said.
For those with great obstacles to overcome, Collin encourages them to have faith in things to come.
“It amazing to see how the biggest tragedies can sometimes be the greatest blessings. My accident was tragic, but it is a blessing because it has allowed me to do so many other things. You just have to put your trust in God and apply yourself,” Smith said.
In 2014, Collin graduated from High Point University, and none other than his “angel in disguise” pushed him across the stage to receive his Bachelors of Arts degree in Communications with minors in Sports Management and Athletic coaching.
Ernest Greene was presented with an honorary Bachelor of Humane Letters during commencement for his selfless dedication to Collin’s education.
Collin credits his supportive family for the help they have provided in his road to overcoming obstacles.
“Having a great family helps, and I think that is another reason I have been able to succeed like I have,” Smith, said.
And most importantly, Smith urges those with hardship to stay to true to yourself above all.
“You have to remember that you are still the same person you were before. I’m still the same as everyone else; I just sit down all day,” Smith, said.