Family Weathers the Storm, Again

For an Adairsville family affected by the Dec. 22 tornadoes that ripped through north , Floyd and Gordon counties, the storm began long before Christmas.

In September, Sean and Sabrina Smither and son William in a family vehicle were hit head on, catapulted in the air and lunged backward 30 feet, according to Living Way Foursquare Church officials.

While Sabrina and William suffered broken bones and corrective surgeries, Sean had to fight for his life, enduring nine surgeries, 14 major broken or crushed bones, two strokes and frontal brain injuries. With all those injuries and the impending recovery, the father lost his job.

Fox 5 reports the family was struck by an impaired driver, and as a result faces $1 million in medical bills. Sabrina was hospitalized for 25 days and Sean's legs were crushed and his back broken; he's in a facility learning how to walk again, according to the station.

Then three days before Christmas, an EF 3 tornado sent 150-mph winds through north Bartow and Gordon counties, 11 Alive reported. While the Smither's home was spared by the nearly 40 trees uprooted on their property, the family was left with damages estimated at $6,000, according to the church.

Church volunteers on New Year's Eve cleared much of the property, but say the Smither's home needs more work. In addition to continuing clean up on the property on Saturdays in January, a group of churches are rallying to outfit the home in preparation for Sean's return from hospitalization.

They say the house will need modifications to accommodate his wheelchair, including a lift. Supporters are planning a benefit and have reached out to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover.

Donations for the Smither's family can be sent by check to Adairsville Baptist Church, P.O. Box 301, Adairsville, GA 30103 with a memo noting it's for the Smither Building Fund. Online contributions are accepted at https://www.wepay.com/x1tigyl/donations/364488.