The Medical Leader

By MARY MEADOWS
Staff Writer

ELKHORN CITY — Elkhorn City Elementary student Kyle Smith has inspired many people during his 16-month battle with an aggressive form of leukemia.

And those people returned the favor by naming a county bridge that leads to his school in his honor.

Kyle’s family, classmates, teachers, Elkhorn City residents, and public officials unveiled signs to officially name the bridge the “Kyle Dean Smith Bridge” during an April 22 ceremony.

Many people in attendance wore “Fighting for Kyle” T-shirts and orange ribbons. The balloons on the bridge and a sign stating, “We love you, Kyle. You are awesome,” reflected the school’s colors.

“It will be special for the entire family,” his mother Shelly said, as she walked across the bridge prior to the unveiling. “Every time we come across this bridge, we will see his name. No matter what happens, a little piece of him will always be here.”

Kyle was honored by the gesture, and he thanked the community and area officials for naming the bridge in his honor. After the ceremony, he was surrounded by students, many of whom asked him to autograph their T-shirts.

The 11-year-old was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia 16 months ago and has since undergone numerous medical procedures, including a bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy treatments, which ultimately failed to improve his condition.

During an April 9 interview with the Medical Leader, Shelly reported that the leukemia spread from Kyle’s bone marrow into his bloodstream. He was given three weeks to two months to live, she said.

Elkhorn City Council member Mike Taylor encouraged people to not give up on Kyle’s chances of getting better.

“The fight is just beginning,” he said. “We need to fight harder. We need to pray harder.”

Taylor initiated several fundraisers and bone marrow donation drives for Kyle and worked closely with the family during the ordeal. He also initiated the bridge dedication and received approval from the Pike County Fiscal Court.

“I love him with all of my heart,” he said, “and if everybody had the courage and the faith and the belief that this little boy has, boy, what a country we’d live in.”

People who spoke during the ceremony thanked Kyle for being brave and for inspiring them.

Elkhorn City Elementary Principal James Mercer called it a “special day for a special kid” who has represented the school well.

“Kyle, I am honored to be here with you today, Buddy,” he said. “This is such a special day. To name this bridge in your honor is just a very special day for all of us.”

His comments drew applause from the crowd, many of whom wiped away tears as they watched Kyle interact with his classmates. He and his sister have had homebound teachers since the onset of his illness.

Watching Kyle deal with the illness has pulled his school and his community together, officials said.

“Ever since Kyle has been sick, I have been seeing the signs that say ‘Pray for Kyle, our brave little boy,’” Elkhorn City Mayor Bill Powell said. “I’ve noticed how this has pulled the community closer together, with various groups working together to help him.”

Mercer said the school community has grown closer as well. He said he wanted to build a team when he started working at the school. By working together to support and assist Kyle, that school team has become a family, he said.

Kay Lawson, an employee of the county’s emergency management department who made the signs for Kyle last week, was emotional when she explained how meeting Kyle helped her.

“Thank you. You are such an inspiration to me,” she told him. “I thought if you had to go through all of this, I can handle the problems I’m facing.”

Taylor is selling “Pray for Kyle” bracelets to raise donations for the family. To purchase a bracelet or sell bracelets on Kyle’s behalf, contact Taylor at (606) 754-4876.