A Hero’s Welcome for Local Inspiration and Ironman Sidney Smith
Vernal’s own Sidney Smith and his wife Lori had quite the welcome home last night complete with lights, sirens, a street lined with friends and neighbors cheering with signs, and an unexpected visit from the Mayor. The couple had made the long trip back from Florida where Sidney completed a full Ironman competition over the weekend which consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 mile run. Just four years ago, Sidney lay in a hospital bed after his most recent surgery following a lifetime of procedures and surgeries related to a disease he was born with that causes foot deformities and muscle wasting. He was now officially a double amputee and while fear and depression were present at that point, he watched from his hospital bed the stories of Ironman competitors, including an amputee.