By JAMES BROWN
Glasgow News 1
The parents of 2-year-old Wyatt Miller turned one of the worst days of their lives into one of the best for three other families.
Wyatt’s life and that day was central to a tree-planting ceremony at the Glasgow Police Department office on Wednesday, April 29.
“For Glasgow PD to do what they have done for us and all of the first responders … for them to honor Wyatt in this way so that he lives on at this station is amazing,” said Wyatt’s father Kristopher prior to the ceremony.
What the police department did was directly influenced by the decision of Wyatt’s parents, Kristopher Miller and Robin Hopkins, to donate their son’s organs so that they could be used to save other people’s lives.
Kristopher said Wyatt’s organs were used to help a 4-month old child, a 5-month old child and a 30-year-old adult.
Robin said she was very proud to know that Wyatt had a positive effect on other people’s lives. She said he did that when he was alive as well.
“He had a smile that could change anyone’s day,” Robin said.
Glasgow Police Chief Guy Howie told the story of the worst day during the tree-planting ceremony.
Glasgow Police Chief Guy Howie speaks about the emergency personnel response on the day of 2-year-old Wyatt Miller’s medical emergency. The responders are pictured at left. Wyatt’s parents, Robin Hopkins and Kristopher Miller, are pictured in the background. The police department hosted a tree-planting ceremony in Wyatt’s honor on Wednesday, April 29. James Brown/Glasgow News 1
“On March 13, Wyatt suffered a medical emergency,” Howie said. “Knowing that Wyatt needed urgent lifesaving measures, he was escorted by ambulance. Law enforcement and [Barren County] emergency management ensured EMS had safe passage to expedite transport to the [T.J. Samson Community Hospital] emergency room by blocking every intersection along the route.”
Wyatt was treated locally before being transferred to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. He died April 3.
“That date marks a profound loss, but that does not define Wyatt’s story,” Chief Howie said. “In an act of love and generosity, Wyatt’s family chose to donate his organs. In the midst of unimaginable grief, they gave the gift of life to others.”
“There was so much life in Wyatt, that if there was the possibility, that we would want him to live on in others,” Robin and Kristopher said.
The ceremony closed with Kristopher and Robin adding dirt at the base of the tree that will stand in Wyatt’s honor in front of the police department off Happy Valley Road.
Comments