Help Kim Smith the Artist to Recover

Well known Bahamian based colour pencil artist, Kim Smith, suffered a freak accident whilst walking on Tuesday June 2, 2020.  He tripped and fell, hitting his chin on the pavement causing pressure on his spinal cord because of disk protrusions in his neck. Due to the severity of the injury, this has caused Kim to have very limited function in his arms and legs.  It is uncertain at this point how much recovery he will have and whether Kim will require surgery for his neck.  He is now at home with special equipment, nursing care and therapy. He has to wear the neck brace  until his video conference with the neurosurgeon on June 29, where the need for surgery will be discussed. 


Kim moved from Canada to Nassau almost 30 years ago and has been a highly respected educator in the Bahamas for over 20 years. He has taught many children in both the Anglican and Catholic school systems.  He also teaches private art classes that have been enjoyed by both adults and children, and some of his students have gone on to become accomplished artists in their own right. He is a consummate professional and an amazing artist who works exclusively in graphite or colour pencil.  He is a great supporter of other artists in the Bahamas and is always active in the art community lending encouragement and support where he can.


Kim is a partner in the boutique frame shop "The Place for Art" on Village Road, Nassau, Bahamas. He was looking forward to re-opening the frame shop with his business partner Andrew Ash. After the reopening following the long lock down (due to Covid 19), Andrew, with the help of a good friend of theirs, re-opened The Place for Art once the Covid-19 lockdown was over.  This frame business was long a dream of Kim's  so every effort has been made for it to continue operating in his absence.    


At this time Kim continues to be very limited in his mobility, requiring  assistance to transfer from bed to chair.  He also requires a modified walker with support for his elbows as he is not able to hold or support himself with his hands.  He is starting to show some small movements in his hands and fingers which is wonderful, but he still has a long way to go to be back to his happy, active self and to return to his passion of drawing. The prognosis for full recovery is very positive; however, not without hours of specialized care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, special equipment, and most likely surgery. 


We do not have a final tally of what the hospital stay costs are or the expenses of his equipment and nursing care at home, and it is still undetermined as to how much Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy he will require to regain his full function. His insurance will only cover a small portion of the expenses that he is incurring. Additionally, he requires extensive dental work on both upper and lower right jaws.


We are very GRATEFUL for all the support that we have already received to help Kim with his medical expenses. We are still reaching out to all Kim's friends, family, former students, clients and all those he touched with his art, teaching and humanity, to ask that they contribute what they can.  Nothing is too small and nothing is too big in order that Kim can fully recover and resume both his quality of life and his passion for art. 


Kim thanks you in advance for your generous financial assistance and other forms of support.