Justice for Kent
Donation protected
The Story
When our children encounter bullies at school, we tell them to walk away; we tell them to ignore the bully, to take the high road, to remove themselves from the situation. What would we do if we knew that telling our child to walk away would change their life forever?
In August of 2003 Kent Smith was walking home through the downtown core. He had just stopped for falafels and was walking down Macdonell St. in Guelph when a group of young men started snickering and making comments about the length of Kent’s hair. Kent did exactly what we all tell our children to do: he ignored the comments and kept walking.
16 years later, Kent is still undergoing reconstructive surgeries and is battling PTSD.
One of those young men brutally attacked Kent that night. The 17-year-old ran up behind Kent, punching him in the side of the head and rendering Kent unconscious and therefore unable to break his fall. Kent, then a 31-year-old English major at the University of Guelph, woke up on the sidewalk with 11 missing teeth and multiple jaw fractures.
Kent spent seven days in intensive care and two months drinking his food through a straw. He was forced to drop out of school and work full time to pay for the multiple surgeries required – costs totaling over $37,000.
As for the young man who attacked Kent that night? Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the 17-year-old was given a $5,000 fine and 100 hours of community service.
Since that night, Kent has married and started a family. Now the father of two young children, Kent has returned to school and is working on his PhD. However, an error on the behalf of the National Student Loans Centre has left Kent with an interest payment of over $18,000 and has prevented him from receiving government graduate funding, including a $15,000 scholarship that Kent has won and had withheld – twice. Kent is also ineligible to receive ODSP due to the restriction placed by the National Student Loans Centre. Even with his Department Head and local MPP petitioning OSAP on Kent’s behalf, the restriction stands.
This is a story of a man who was victimized 16 years ago, and who continues to be victimized. This is a story of a family that is suffering because of a decision made by one teenager, one night. This is a story of dreams yet to be achieved.
It should be a story of perseverance, courage, and bravery. This should be a story of a man who did not let one event define him, who overcame the injustices inflicted upon him, and who forged himself a new path to reach his dreams. It still can be.
The Smith family is one of the warmest, supportive families I have ever met. Despite what has happened to Kent, he teaches his children to be kind and patient. He parents with a calm and gentle demeanor. He loves his wife and children immeasurably, which is clear to anyone who spends time with them.
Kent deserves the chance to recover from his injuries as best he can, so many years later. He deserves the chance to achieve his dreams and complete his PhD. His family deserves the chance to free themselves of the weight of debt they’ve been placed under so that they may all move forward from this tragedy.
Please consider donating to help the Smith family, and show your support by sharing their story.
What Does the Future Hold?
In January, Kent will be undergoing a third surgery. A total Mandibular Joint Replacement is a very complex surgery – so complex that at Mount Sinai in Toronto only 25 patients can undergo this surgery each year. Kent may still require dental implants in the future, but this surgery may be life-changing for Kent, but before the surgery could be scheduled there were many other dental procedures and surgeries that needed to be completed first. OHIP will cover the Mandibular Joint Replacement, but the dental procedures that preceded had to be paid out of pocket. This surgery will also result in time off work for Kent’s wife Kristina and extra childcare expenses for their two young children.
On the night of Kent’s attack, he was working on his undergraduate degree in English at the University of Guelph. He has since completed that goal and is currently working towards his PhD. Kent’s family has received no support from OSAP or ODSP, and the scholarships awarded to him through the university were negated by the CRA and given to other students.
Like many families in Ontario, the Smiths rent their home. Also like many families in Ontario, it is their dream to one day become homeowners. With debt still accumulating, this will be a challenging goal for the Smiths to achieve.
As a direct result of this attack, Kent suffers from PTSD and anxiety. It has been recommended by Kent's psychiatrist at CAMH that he have a service dog to support his daily activities. The average cost to train and pair a PTSD service dog is $15,000, none of which is supported with government funding.
Your donations will help this family get back on their feet and on track to meeting their goals.
When our children encounter bullies at school, we tell them to walk away; we tell them to ignore the bully, to take the high road, to remove themselves from the situation. What would we do if we knew that telling our child to walk away would change their life forever?
In August of 2003 Kent Smith was walking home through the downtown core. He had just stopped for falafels and was walking down Macdonell St. in Guelph when a group of young men started snickering and making comments about the length of Kent’s hair. Kent did exactly what we all tell our children to do: he ignored the comments and kept walking.
16 years later, Kent is still undergoing reconstructive surgeries and is battling PTSD.
One of those young men brutally attacked Kent that night. The 17-year-old ran up behind Kent, punching him in the side of the head and rendering Kent unconscious and therefore unable to break his fall. Kent, then a 31-year-old English major at the University of Guelph, woke up on the sidewalk with 11 missing teeth and multiple jaw fractures.
Kent spent seven days in intensive care and two months drinking his food through a straw. He was forced to drop out of school and work full time to pay for the multiple surgeries required – costs totaling over $37,000.
As for the young man who attacked Kent that night? Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the 17-year-old was given a $5,000 fine and 100 hours of community service.
Since that night, Kent has married and started a family. Now the father of two young children, Kent has returned to school and is working on his PhD. However, an error on the behalf of the National Student Loans Centre has left Kent with an interest payment of over $18,000 and has prevented him from receiving government graduate funding, including a $15,000 scholarship that Kent has won and had withheld – twice. Kent is also ineligible to receive ODSP due to the restriction placed by the National Student Loans Centre. Even with his Department Head and local MPP petitioning OSAP on Kent’s behalf, the restriction stands.
This is a story of a man who was victimized 16 years ago, and who continues to be victimized. This is a story of a family that is suffering because of a decision made by one teenager, one night. This is a story of dreams yet to be achieved.
It should be a story of perseverance, courage, and bravery. This should be a story of a man who did not let one event define him, who overcame the injustices inflicted upon him, and who forged himself a new path to reach his dreams. It still can be.
The Smith family is one of the warmest, supportive families I have ever met. Despite what has happened to Kent, he teaches his children to be kind and patient. He parents with a calm and gentle demeanor. He loves his wife and children immeasurably, which is clear to anyone who spends time with them.
Kent deserves the chance to recover from his injuries as best he can, so many years later. He deserves the chance to achieve his dreams and complete his PhD. His family deserves the chance to free themselves of the weight of debt they’ve been placed under so that they may all move forward from this tragedy.
Please consider donating to help the Smith family, and show your support by sharing their story.
What Does the Future Hold?
In January, Kent will be undergoing a third surgery. A total Mandibular Joint Replacement is a very complex surgery – so complex that at Mount Sinai in Toronto only 25 patients can undergo this surgery each year. Kent may still require dental implants in the future, but this surgery may be life-changing for Kent, but before the surgery could be scheduled there were many other dental procedures and surgeries that needed to be completed first. OHIP will cover the Mandibular Joint Replacement, but the dental procedures that preceded had to be paid out of pocket. This surgery will also result in time off work for Kent’s wife Kristina and extra childcare expenses for their two young children.
On the night of Kent’s attack, he was working on his undergraduate degree in English at the University of Guelph. He has since completed that goal and is currently working towards his PhD. Kent’s family has received no support from OSAP or ODSP, and the scholarships awarded to him through the university were negated by the CRA and given to other students.
Like many families in Ontario, the Smiths rent their home. Also like many families in Ontario, it is their dream to one day become homeowners. With debt still accumulating, this will be a challenging goal for the Smiths to achieve.
As a direct result of this attack, Kent suffers from PTSD and anxiety. It has been recommended by Kent's psychiatrist at CAMH that he have a service dog to support his daily activities. The average cost to train and pair a PTSD service dog is $15,000, none of which is supported with government funding.
Your donations will help this family get back on their feet and on track to meeting their goals.
Organiser and beneficiary
Brianne Perna
Organiser
Guelph, ON
Kristina Smith
Beneficiary
