Friends come through after disabled man's home is damaged by storm

06:38 PM PDT on Wednesday, April 28, 2004

By ERIC WILKINSON / KING 5 News

KING Bob Smith has multiple sclerosis and diabetes.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. - It's tough enough living live multiple sclerosis and diabetes, but now Bob Smith's home is in pieces.

"It makes it real difficult, but it'll all work out," he said.

During Tuesday's big storm, a 60-foot maple came crashing through Smith's bedroom, leaving a gaping hole. A specially designed bathroom, the only one he is able to use, was destroyed. Smith was forced to sleep in his wheelchair Tuesday night.

"I started shaking and didn't stop until 10," he said.

Friends are helping Smith out, and strangers who have seen his story on KING 5 are offering to open their homes to him. He's been getting offers for assistance from people he hasn't seen in years.

"Well a lot of them say 'we'll do anything you want, just tell us' but I'm at a loss because I don't know," he said.

And after already enduring so much in life, Smith refuses to let this get him down.

"What are you gonna do? I could get mad but what good does it do?" he said.

Damage estimates on Smith's home are running between 430,000 and $40,000.