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Kevin Smethers: Discovering a passion for photography
On October 4, 2014, Kevin Smethers was injured in a helicopter crash in Texas. The crash resulted in five fractures to his neck and a severe spinal cord injury. He was airlifted to the University of Minnesota for surgery. Once his condition stabilized, he was transferred to Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute - Abbott Northwestern Hospital for rehabilitation.
Kevin spent several months as a patient in the Transitional Rehabilitation Program (TRP) at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute - Golden Valley. This high-intensity inpatient rehabilitation facility is well known for its excellence in treating people with spinal cord injury. Kevin appreciated the times during his stay when Nursing Assistant Rose Bourbeau ("Little Rose" as he affectionately calls her) would take patients outside to spend time in nature. He recalls how she loved to point out all the different flowers along the garden pathway.
"Rose has that little bit of extra kindness. It's just the way she is," says Smethers. When he returned home, he remembers thinking, "I should take a picture of that flower, Rose would like to see it." Kevin credits Rose with helping him appreciate the little things and encouraging him with photography. "As a quadriplegic, I travel a little bit slower. Now, I see beauty along the trails I travel."
Today, Kevin and his wife, Cheryl, live in Bemidji and go out a couple times a week in his Ranger so he can take photos. [wife] jokingly complains about the risk of being bitten by mosquitos because she is the one who has to sit in the bushes with the camera. She makes it clear though, that Kevin is the photographer, she just uses her hands to capture the angle that he wants. She says, "Kevin has the photographer's eye - he finds the subjects that captivate him."
In April, Kevin submitted a couple of his photographs for the first time to the juried Courage Kenny Art Show & Sale. His photographs sold out. Guess who bought them? Rose.
Kevin and his wife, continue their efforts to modify their home and find new tools to help him be as independent as possible. He's also exploring an adaptive device for his camera, so he will be able to control it from his iPhone. The Smethers want others in similar situations to know anybody has the potential for art.
"You may need a little extra help or do it differently, but it shouldn't stop you. There is a big, huge world out there. Get out and enjoy it as much as you can!"
Kevin spent several months as a patient in the Transitional Rehabilitation Program (TRP) at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute - Golden Valley. This high-intensity inpatient rehabilitation facility is well known for its excellence in treating people with spinal cord injury. Kevin appreciated the times during his stay when Nursing Assistant Rose Bourbeau ("Little Rose" as he affectionately calls her) would take patients outside to spend time in nature. He recalls how she loved to point out all the different flowers along the garden pathway.
"Rose has that little bit of extra kindness. It's just the way she is," says Smethers. When he returned home, he remembers thinking, "I should take a picture of that flower, Rose would like to see it." Kevin credits Rose with helping him appreciate the little things and encouraging him with photography. "As a quadriplegic, I travel a little bit slower. Now, I see beauty along the trails I travel."
Today, Kevin and his wife, Cheryl, live in Bemidji and go out a couple times a week in his Ranger so he can take photos. [wife] jokingly complains about the risk of being bitten by mosquitos because she is the one who has to sit in the bushes with the camera. She makes it clear though, that Kevin is the photographer, she just uses her hands to capture the angle that he wants. She says, "Kevin has the photographer's eye - he finds the subjects that captivate him."
In April, Kevin submitted a couple of his photographs for the first time to the juried Courage Kenny Art Show & Sale. His photographs sold out. Guess who bought them? Rose.
Kevin and his wife, continue their efforts to modify their home and find new tools to help him be as independent as possible. He's also exploring an adaptive device for his camera, so he will be able to control it from his iPhone. The Smethers want others in similar situations to know anybody has the potential for art.
"You may need a little extra help or do it differently, but it shouldn't stop you. There is a big, huge world out there. Get out and enjoy it as much as you can!"