Kendra Smith

At the beginning of May 2014, Kendra Willert Smith, who many of us call Katie, had a freak accident that damaged her spinal cord. She had emergency surgery in Charleston, SC to stabilize her spinal cord. After spending a few days in intensive care, she was moved to a regular hospital room before being transferred to The Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA. At Shepherd, Katie received intensive therapy and learned an enormous amount about spinal cord injuries while meeting many other people living with the same limitations.

After two months in Georgia, Katie transferred back to South Carolina to a rehab facility that would be closer to her kids and friends. She has been there the last three months, and hopes to move to a wheelchair accessible apartment very soon.

Katie grew up in Lansing, Michigan and is still a huge Michigan State Spartans and Detroit Lions fan. She has three children; Tony is 23, Wesley is 15, and Alexis is 13. Katie is happiest when she is surrounded by music. She is always smiling, friendly, and cheerful even through difficult times. She is a very caring and generous person.

No one ever expects to become paralyzed and few people ever have the money set aside to afford it. Katie needs medical supplies, equipment and a wheelchair accessible vehicle and she needs our assistance in order to get them.

Katie has chosen to fundraise with HelpHOPELive in part because HelpHOPELive assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for donors. Donors can be sure that funds donated will be used only to pay or reimburse medically-related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Donate Now button.

For more information, please contact HelpHOPELive at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your support!