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One step at a time

Austin Smith poses for a photo at North Idaho College’s campus in Coeur d’Alene.

Engineering student with prosthetic leg inspires others.

Fall semester was about to start when Austin Smith went in for a life-changing surgery to remove his left leg.

“I was actually surprised they sent me home one day after the surgery,” said Smith, 19, of Rathdrum. “A couple days after the surgery I started college.”

Smith was born with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Also called hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, CMT is a non-life-threatening but painful degenerative nerve condition that weakens muscles and makes walking difficult, among other symptoms.

This condition led to the amputation and a new chapter in Smith's life, one that would challenge him to persevere physically and academically, one step at a time.

“It was kind of funny, I didn't think I would be going to college,” the 2023 Mountain View Alternative High School graduate said. “But during one period in high school, in 45 minutes, I was thinking to myself, ‘Maybe I should get all my missing work out.’”

The work didn't take long but had a big impact on his grades and confidence.

“All my F’s and D’s turned into A’s and B’s,” Smith said.

He then realized college could be a reality, so he enrolled in NIC's engineering program with the goal of becoming an electrical engineer.

“I see myself in 10 years working at a place I love with people I can get along with,” he said. “I see myself on a good team making the money I need to make.”

Those first moments stepping into the prosthetic were strange, Smith said, especially as there was no longer a foot where one had always been.

“I’m looking down at my feet and it was really bizarre to look at from my point of view,” he said.

Mobility that first semester was a struggle, especially over the winter.

“Snow is a bit of a challenge, but as an engineering student, I figured it out,” Smith said. “I asked around and found out about these spikes that go on the bottom of canes that can go on the bottom of crutches and they’re meant for ice. I got those for my crutches and that worked out really well.”

He also discovered Yaktrax, durable cleats that fit over shoes for easier walking on snow and ice.

Smith’s dad found him a mobility scooter as well, which he was able to store in the Disability Support Services office for campus use.

“Now I hardly use it at all,” Smith said. “I’m walking comfortably now. Obviously, there’s phantom pain and whatnot.”

The challenges have been accompanied by moments of humanity.

“I’m actually amazed. For the first 14 years of my life, I lived in California and the people there would never have held doors open for me,” Smith said. “Here, even before my amputation, people were holding doors open for me.”

Sometimes he would forget something in a classroom and already be in his car.

“People would run it out to me,” he said. “People have been such a help, especially emotionally. Some of my friends joke around about it and it helps. You have to laugh it off.”

Smith is not the only member of his family who has undergone life-altering surgeries and health challenges. His mom and older sister were in a car wreck on Christmas 2005 that left his sister paralyzed from the waist down and led to his mom becoming a double amputee.

“We’re pretty close, all of us,” Smith said. “Even my sister, she calls us every day or every other day. She lives in Florida.”

Randy Shadden, academic advisor/mentor coordinator for NIC’s Trio Student Support Services, has closely worked with Smith through the trials and tribulations of his first year at NIC.

Shadden said the entire Trio office is in awe of Smith’s resilience.

“When I first met with him, he was in a wheelchair,” Shadden said. “He was considering the amputation, but he was very positive. He’s been very easy to work with.”

Shadden said finding independence and being willing to try new things is not easy for any student, especially those who have limitations or challenges.

“But Austin always plans on coming back and doing it,” he said. “The field he’s going into is challenging, and he’s setting himself up to be successful."

Shadden said he and his team enjoy supporting students as much as they can.

“Our students are the reason we’re all here,” he said.

Smith said that together with his family, support from his peers at school and the faith in his heart, he’s not backing down from pursuing his bright future.

“As long as you have faith and get through it, you should be fine,” Smith said. “I’m doing fine. I’m not physically strong, but I’m emotionally strong and that’s what really matters.”