In December 2021, a devastating tornado tore through over 200 miles across Tennessee and three other states, leaving many people injured and causing widespread destruction. Kyle’s family, from Dresden, Tennessee, had just returned home from dinner when a friend alerted them to tornado warnings. Kyle and his family took shelter in their house, but the tornado was too strong. Their house was destroyed, and most of Kyle’s family was propelled almost 200 feet from their home.

Kyle, who was 14 years old at the time, was left paralyzed from the waist down; five vertebrae in his back were fractured. After two weeks of intensive care at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, Kyle was admitted to Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital to receive specialized care and therapy aimed at helping him reclaim his life.

Kyle dedicated himself to his therapy sessions, making significant progress through his hard work and determination. Meanwhile, Kyle’s parents were still hospitalized with series injuries back home in Tennessee. They had not seen each other since the tornado that fateful night.  Six weeks later, Kyle’s parents were discharged from the hospital and strong enough to travel to St. Louis for an emotional reunion with their son. Kyle continued his rehab for several more weeks. Finally, in March, he was ready to go home. His friends and family chartered a bus from Tennessee to bring him home. Friends and family piled into the bus and drove 4 hours to St. Louis to pick up Kyle. As it drove into the entrance of Ranken Jordan, Kyle walked out of the hospital independently as his family and friends cheered.

Kyle has been home for two years now. His mother, Kimberly, proudly states that he no longer experiences any pain from his injuries, and it’s hard to tell that he ever went through such a traumatic experience.

Kyle now works alongside his dad in the logging business, demonstrating incredible resilience and strength.