Four-month-old Kyra was taken to the emergency room when she started having seizures. Doctors diagnosed Kyra with abusive head trauma, and her father was arrested after admitting to shaking her when he grew frustrated with her crying. Remarkably, Kyra is overcoming the odds and developing on track. Her story serves as the inspiration behind One Shake Is All It Takes, an organization dedicated to the prevention of SBS.
Meet Kyra
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Kyra was born on June 5, 2012. She was a healthy baby who was adored by her 2 year old big sister, Lexi.
However a few weeks after her mom returned to work, her dad brought 4 month old Kyra to the emergency room where her mom worked because she was having seizures. She was airlifted to St Mary’s in Rochester and was diagnosed with non-accidental head trauma also known as Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) or Abusive Head Trauma (AHT). Her dad was arrested after being interviewed by police and admitting that he had become frustrated with her crying and had shaken her. Kyra had brain surgery 4 days later and was released from the hospital after 8 days.
Since her release from the hospital, Kyra has made a remarkable recovery. She is developing on track, although she still has occasional seizures and processing issues. She is monitored by neurology and Neuro Ophthamology.
Kyra's mom filed for divorce & it was finalized in August 2013 and her dad's case went to trial in April 2014. He was convicted of felony malicious punishment of a child under age 4 and in July 2014 was sentenced to 57 months in prison. In September 2014, he lost his rights to both of his children after not attempting to complete his case plan from social services.
Kyra is the inspiration behind One Shake Is All It Takes which was started in May 2013 by her mom, Kelsie Kuyath.
Kyra's story re-published on this site with permission from Kelsie Kuyath and One Shake Is All It Takes. For more on Kyra, read her #VoicesOfAHT profile on the Lola's Hope website.
Kyra is the inspiration behind One Shake Is All It Takes which was started in May 2013 by her mom, Kelsie Kuyath.
National Resources
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Below are a list of resources that are available nationally across the United States. Click on your state below for local resources.
Victims of Crime
These links will lead to national crime victims services that are available to victims of crimes and their caretakers.
- The National Center for Victims of Crime
- National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children
- National Organization for Victim Assistance
- National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards
- The Compassionate Friends Society – Supporting Family after a Child dies
- The Tears Foundation - grants to cover burial costs
- Charlie's Guys- Bereavement services
Disability Resources
These links will lead to the national disability resources that are available to person with disabilities and their caretakers.
- The Brain Injury Alliance
- The Arc
- Cerebral Palsy Family Network
- Cerebral Palsy Group
- Cerebral Palsy Symptoms
- Council for Exceptional Children
- Disability Resources.org
- Learning Ally
Support Groups
These links will lead to online support groups for parents, caretakers, siblings, and survivors of Shaken Baby Syndrome.
- Grandparents of Shaken Baby Syndrome Victims Support Group (Facebook)
- Shaken Baby Syndrome Support – Families of Angels (Facebook)
- Shaken Baby Syndrome Support (Facebook)
- List of Parent Support Groups for Children with Disabilities or Special Needs
- SibTeen Facebook group for siblings of people with disabilities
Childcare Resources
These links will lead to childcare resources for providers and families.
- National Early Childhood Organizations
- National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)
- ChildCare.gov
- National Child Care Association
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
Other Resources
These links will lead to additional child abuse resources for professionals, families, and survivors of child maltreatment.
- Prevent Child Abuse America
- Child Abuse & Neglect CDC
- Child Welfare Information Gateway
- National Children's Advocacy Center
- Childhelp.org
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- National Child Abuse Coalition
- Purposeful Play Enrichment Center
- Council on Child Abuse and Neglect (COCAN)
- National District Attorneys Association
- Children's Trust Fund Alliance
- National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
State Specific Resources
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Please click on a state to see a list of crime victim, disability, and support group resources specific to that state.
Stories from Victims of SBS
Since 2000, the NCSBS has been working toward preventing babies from being injured or even killed from injuries sustained through violent shaking. Annually, thousands of families around the world experience the tragedy of shaken baby syndrome. Some face the loss of their newest family member, others express gratitude that their baby lived to fight another day. ALL are left facing the challenge of moving forward.
Listed below are the families of the victims of SBS who courageously share their stories of joy, heartbreak and hope. Click the buttons to meet them and discover their journeys.
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Austin was shaken near to death on December 7, 2000 when he was just 2 ½ years old and would spend the next 2 ½ weeks in a coma. Austin fought to survive, regaining consciousness just before Christmas. Now a teenager, Austin can barely walk and struggles every day with depression and extreme anxiety. Austin doesn’t know that life isn’t this hard for everyone. He doesn’t know how to give up or stop trying.
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Grayson was born a happy, healthy, beautiful boy. When he was less than three months old, Grayson was hospitalized for abuse inflicted upon him. Unfortunately, there were several signs of abuse before the diagnosis of AHT.
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Four-month-old Kyra was taken to the emergency room when she started having seizures. Doctors diagnosed Kyra with abusive head trauma, and her father was arrested after admitting to shaking her when he grew frustrated with her crying. Remarkably, Kyra is overcoming the odds and developing on track. Her story serves as the inspiration behind One Shake Is All It Takes, an organization dedicated to the prevention of SBS.
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Taylor was a day shy of turning two months old when she was tragically shaken by her biological father. By that night, over half her brain would die. Miraculously, Taylor survived those long three weeks in hospital. Today, Taylor has a smile that is contagious to all around her and has a special bond with her younger brother, but Taylor will never live on her own, never drive or ever get married.
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