Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Kemry Smith, a Utah girl, passed away from Rett syndrome, a rare disorder.
- Her mother, Natalie Smith, described Kemry as kind, caring and emotionally intuitive.
- Family, friends, and strangers supported Kemry, leaving a lasting legacy of love.
SALT LAKE CITY – A Utah family is sharing their daughter's story, just days after she passed away.
Kemry Smith died after battling Rett syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects the nervous system.
Her mother, Natalie Smith, told KSL-TV that her daughter was like most toddlers. "She started out being able to walk," Natalie Smith said.
But it wasn't long before she knew something was going on with her daughter.
"There were some milestones being missed, and we started to do studies and research things and weren't finding answers," Smith said.
Kemry was finally diagnosed with Rett syndrome when she was 5.
"It is a regressive disorder that is extremely unfair," Natalie Smith said. By the time Kemry was 12, she couldn't walk anymore and would eventually lose the ability to speak. But Kemry's limitations didn't turn people away. They did the opposite.
"She was the most kind and caring person. She could read people's emotions and energy, and she warmed everyone," she said.
Family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers rallied around Kemry and her family.
"When they say it takes a village, Kemry had an army," she said.
When they say it takes a village, Kemry had an army.
–Natalie Smith
Natalie Smith wanted to do our interview in Kemry's room, decorated with lighthouses and pictures of the people Kemry loved most. She can still feel her daughter here.
"She was stronger than me every time," she said. "I would be struggling and I look at her and she would just be smiling."
Her daughter passed away on Monday. Natalie Smith cherishes every minute they had together.
"Her light, to me, will never go out," she said.
If you would like to help the family with expenses, you can click here.
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