Former Panther, Good Guy Steve Smith, Grants Disabled Teen’s Wish

By S. Randall Hood | June 7, 2016

Former Panther, Good Guy Steve Smith, Grants Disabled Teen’s Aubrey Bridges is 18 and autistic. She also has a rare disorder called “vein of Galen malformation.” Her disabilities make it difficult for her to speak, but she was determined to be heard after seeing former Carolina Panther receiver Steve Smith Sr. dance in a video; she thought he’d be a fun date. She decided to ask him to take her to prom.

Thanks to the efforts of a local news anchor and a Charlotte-based charity called Dream on 3, Aubrey got her chance to ask 37-year-old Smith to prom – kind of. Dream on 3 contacted Smith about Aubrey to see if he was interested in participating.

Brandon Lindsey, founder of the charity, was prepared to work to get Smith excited at the prospect of granting Aubrey’s wish. Lindsey told WBTV, “Only, honestly, we didn’t have to get him excited. The second we asked him if he wanted to participate, he said he wanted to ask her himself. That it was the guy’s job to ask the girl. He was in from the beginning, just because he wanted to be. He was fantastic.”

Smith was the consummate gentleman, but neither his celebrity status nor his presence on the dance floor was the surprise of the night for Aubrey. The student body of North Gaston High School cast their ballots in recognition of an indomitable spirit; Aubrey Bridges was named Prom Queen.

All of this might not have been. Aubrey’s physical limitations are severe. She communicates using sign language or a communications device. The cards were stacked against her from the beginning; a vein of Galen malformation is an easily missed diagnosis. It is only occasionally apparent via ultrasound, and the symptoms can be quickly fatal to newborns.

Luckily, Aubrey’s doctor was able to identify and manage her health problems early on, and she takes her daily challenges in stride. For many others, this story ends very differently. Missed diagnoses and birth injuries can change lives in an instant; most birth injuries result in conditions that require a lifetime of medical care that no one is prepared to face.

The experienced and compassionate South Carolina birth injury attorneys at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, know how difficult it can be to think about providing a lifetime of care for your child. We are here to help when you need us. Call 803-327-7800 or contact us today for a free consultation.

Posted in Birth Injury