Just months ago, Kainan Smith was a three-sport athlete. He attended school every day, where he loved creating art, learning math, and playing with his friends. When he was hospitalized for pneumonia at the beginning of 2026, the Smith family could never have anticipated how quickly their lives would change.
Kainan experienced severe pain after having pneumonia, and after weeks of searching for answers, doctors diagnosed him with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder. Within 10 days of his diagnosis, he was paralyzed from the neck down.
“Seeing our normally active, athletic son crying and saying he couldn’t move, was absolutely terrifying,” said Kelan Smith, Kainan’s dad.
Doctors told Kainan’s parents that he needed to undergo intensive physical therapy at a hospital in Atlanta – more than six hours away from their home.
“That was a time of uncertainty, because you’re leaving your home, going to a different state, to a different hospital, not knowing what life will be like when you get there, and not having your support system with you,” said Kelan.
When social workers referred the Smiths to Ronald McDonald House Atlanta, it was a sigh of relief. They originally planned to sleep at Kainan’s bedside, but when they learned his treatment would last months, they quickly realized that wasn’t feasible.
“It was such a weight lifted off my shoulders when we came to Ronald McDonald House Atlanta, and all my focus could be on Kainan,” said Raven Smith, Kainan’s mom.
For Kainan, having family by his side gave him strength as he faced his recovery. He celebrated many milestones at the House, from regaining full extension of his fingers, to beginning to learn to walk again.
As Kainan progressed, he was able to stay at the House during his outpatient physical therapy, and he and his younger sister Kinsley were able to enjoy the game room, arts and crafts, and activity nights. For Raven, watching her children play together at the House brought her joy throughout their difficult journey.
When Kainan returns to Atlanta for appointments, he always looks forward to staying at the House. As he learns to walk again, his dream is to return to playing sports.
“I’m so thankful to Ronald McDonald House Atlanta for always looking out for families in their time of uncertainty,” said Raven. “You give them comfort when they don’t know what tomorrow may hold.”
The Smiths are one of thousands of families that have walked through our doors this year during the most difficult days of their lives. This giving season and Giving Tuesday, we hope you’ll partner with us to provide not only a home-away-from–home for families, but to give them the gift of strength, comfort, and hope as they face their child’s medical journey.
