Austin Sells has lived a tough life in his short five years, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at his smile.
“For not being able to see, hear or walk, he is one happy little boy that brings much joy into many lives,” said Dayna Hurd, who is helping with a benefit auction for the family. It starts at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Cooleemee Shopping Center off NC 801 and Marginal Street.
Austin was born at 24 weeks, weighing 1 lb. 6 oz. He was born legally blind, and has cerebral palsy. He has undergone four laser eye surgeries with no success.
In November of last year, he was put into a coma for two surgeries to remove water from around his brain. That caused him to go deaf.
Next month, he is scheduled for another surgery – to provide cochlear implants so he can hear again.
Proceeds from the auction will  go to the family. Medical and other bills are piling up because of the surgeries and lost days at work.
Items for the auction have been pouring in, and more are welcome. Call Hurd at 704-904-5707. “We have had an amazing response from many of the local businesses that have donated new items,” she said. “We would like to thank all of them …