Shepherd Center

Raymond Leonard has spent his career in education. After he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome and experienced a stroke in August 2021, he was determined to return to Factory Shoals Middle School in Douglasville, Georgia, where he serves as principal. He spent three months in the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Unit (CRU) at Shepherd, where he learned to walk again and to feed and dress himself. Raymond made slow but steady progress. He started using a power wheelchair and then a manual wheelchair. In outpatient therapy, he practiced walking on the Lokomat?. He moved to a walker and set a goal of walking up the stairs with only the aid of a cane. “I was motivated by setting incremental goals,” Raymond says. “That really helped because I could see progress.” He went back to work, slowly building up his hours, and in August 2022, he walked into the school unassisted and returned to work full-time. When reflecting on his achievements, Raymond credits his family for their unwavering support and the “family” at Shepherd Center. “They were motivational and inspirational. It’s like a family. Three years later, I still have connections there.” #ShepherdCenter #RehabilitationHospital #PatientStory #DouglasvilleGeorgia #SmallSteps

Raymond Leonard has spent his career in education. After he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome and experienced a stroke in August 2021, he was determined to return to Factory Shoals Middle School in Douglasville, Georgia, where he serves as principal. He spent three months in the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Unit (CRU) at Shepherd, where he learned to walk again and to feed and dress himself. Raymond made slow but steady progress. He started using a power wheelchair and then a manual wheelchair. In outpatient therapy, he practiced walking on the Lokomat?. He moved to a walker and set a goal of walking up the stairs with only the aid of a cane. “I was motivated by setting incremental goals,” Raymond says. “That really helped because I could see progress.” He went back to work, slowly building up his hours, and in August 2022, he walked into the school unassisted and returned to work full-time. When reflecting on his achievements, Raymond credits his family for their unwavering support and the “family” at Shepherd Center. “They were motivational and inspirational. It’s like a family. Three years later, I still have connections there.” #ShepherdCenter #RehabilitationHospital #PatientStory #DouglasvilleGeorgia #SmallSteps

This year’s AAPMR conference was one for the books! With attendance reaching an all-time high, our Shepherd Center team had the incredible opportunity to educate, network, and showcase our fellowship programs. Some highlights included interactive exhibits featuring recreational therapy, recumbent bikes, and animal-assisted therapy. A massive shoutout to Jacque Jones and everyone who contributed to making our booth successful — we couldn’t have done it without you. We’re already looking ahead to AAPMR 2025 in Salt Lake City, where we’ll be at booth #1210, and planning more exciting ways to showcase what makes Shepherd Center so unique. Plus, stay tuned for updates on a proposed resident party collaboration! #ShepherdCenter #AAPMR2024 #Physiatry #InnovationInRehab #ProfessionalConference

Meet Dominique Ross, a 17-year-old aspiring actor, Spider-Man fan, and talented seamstress who faced an unthinkable challenge after sustaining a spinal cord injury last summer. Shot 13 times in a case of mistaken identity, Dominique worried she might never sew again, return to school, or pursue her dreams on the stage. While rehabbing at Shepherd Center, her therapist continually helped her see she was still capable of a lot more than she thought. They set up a specifically adaptive sewing machine Dominique used to create a custom jumpsuit for one of her counselors. Shepherd Center’s No Obstacles Program, a program created to help smooth adolescents’ return to school, helped her realize that returning to school was not out of the question either. Kelsey Shearman, MA, academic coordinator in Shepherd Center’s Adolescent Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program, met with Dominique’s teachers, drama department, and principal to review what Dominique would need to succeed: assistance with notetaking, a seat in the back of class to give her the freedom to move around frequently, accessibility improvements in the theater, and renovated bathrooms. And it’s made a world of difference. Dominique is thriving back at Bearden High School in Knoxville, Tennessee. She is gearing up for her first school musical and has started a new job at a comic bookstore. She hopes to attend college and study theater, film, and maybe costume design. Want to learn more about Dominique’s story, including her impressive sewing skills? Click the link below! https://bit.ly/492ucCM #ShepherdCenter #NoObstacles #DisabilityEmpowerment #ReturnToSchool

After Cynthia Trawick sustained a hemorrhagic stroke last year, she participated in Shepherd Center’s Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program. As her speech and motor skills returned, she found herself itching to return to her role as director of TRIO and public health programs at Morehouse College. “I lobbied to start working while still inpatient,” Trawick laughs. “To Shepherd Center’s credit, they allowed me to do it.” Her therapists observed her in the process and identified the cognitive gaps she was still experiencing. “By watching me work, they figured out what I needed to work on the most based on the type of work I do,” Trawick says. “There probably aren’t many places that would do that!” Once it was time for her to return to campus, her vocational rehabilitation specialist—Zac Bradley, MS, CRC, NCC, CVE—got on the phone with her boss, Morehouse’s HR director, and facilities director. Together, they mapped out a plan for her return. “Zac was awesome in advocating for me,” Trawick recalls. “Everyone at Shepherd Center, what they do for patients shows how much they care. They make you feel confident, and it’s such a holistic approach.” Now, Trawick is back to doing what she loves. She recently led a group of Upward Bound pre-college students on a cultural tour of the U.S. Virgin Islands. “I’m so thankful to still be doing this,” Trawick says. “I may be a work in progress, but I know I wouldn’t be here right now if not for Shepherd Center.” #BrainInjuryRehabilitation #BrainInjuryAwareness #ShepherdCenter #MorehouseCollege #VocationalRehabilitation

Thank you to Kirk Cousins and Atlanta Falcons for taking the time to visit our patient, Carson, a high school quarterback who is working hard on his rehabilitation journey after sustaining a spinal cord injury on the field. Moments like these mean the world to our patients. Kirk and the Falcons spent quality one-on-one time with Carson, sharing stories, encouragement, and a little football wisdom. It's visits like these that keep spirits high and motivation strong. Carson, we know you've got the heart of a champion, and with support like this, the sky's the limit. Thank you, Kirk and the Falcons, for your kindness. #RiseUp #ShepherdCenter #GoBirds #FalconsCare #ShepherdDayInTheLife

Recently, we chatted with Eden Schroeder, a Shepherd Shark Swimmer, to discuss her journey of obtaining and living with a service animal. While rehabilitating at Shepherd Center, Eden fell in love with one of the facility dogs, Colin, and even has a picture of their first meeting. "I was just so happy to be around a dog. It was one of the first times that the hospital started to feel more like home," she recalls. For Eden, the impact of facility dogs went beyond emotional comfort. She witnessed firsthand how helpful they could be with opening doors and retrieving items. Seeing the dogs working made her realize how much a service dog could assist her along her journey to independence, and she knew she wanted to get one. She contacted Canine Companions?, which provides 60% of U.S. service dogs and trains all Shepherd Center's facility dogs. The application process was extensive, requiring a one-year wait post-injury, a detailed paper application, and a phone interview where Eden described the specific tasks she needed help with. She then traveled to Canine Companions' Orlando facility for in-person training, where she was introduced to various dogs and trained in dog handling. Eventually, she was paired with her current service dog, Chippy, who was matched with Eden based on her personality and needs. Chippy has transformed Eden's life for the better. Chippy helps pick up items Eden drops, opens doors, and retrieves items from lower shelves. "She has taken a lot of the weight off of my disability, which helps me focus on other things," Eden explains. Additionally, Chippy serves as a great icebreaker, easing any hesitancy people may have about approaching Eden. This partnership is a testament to the life-changing impact of service animals. Eden says, "I love her more than anything, plus it's fun to have someone with you all the time." #CanineCompanions #DisabilitySupport #ShepherdCenter #RehabilitationHospital #DisabilityAwareness

This year, on Sept. 23, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Shepherd Center Cup. With 230 golfers on the course and over $315,000 raised, this sold-out event supports our Recreation Therapy Program—the largest of its kind in the country—which helps patients with disabilities stay active through adaptive activities and goal-setting. And a special thank you to this year's chair, Miller Peer, and to LPGA pro Greta Anderson, who shared her inspiring story at the closing dinner. We're already looking forward to next year's tournament on Sept. 15! #ShepherdCenterCup #40thAnniversary #CharityGolfTournament #RecreationTherapy #DisabilitySupport

It took paramedics 20 minutes to find Jeff Richmond’s body after he was thrown from a car in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. He was almost pronounced dead at the scene before a paramedic spotted his eyelids fluttering. After his injury, he came to Shepherd Center’s Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program, where his background as a Marine Corps veteran helped him push through even the biggest challenges in rehab. He relearned to breathe, swallow, speak, and walk independently. Then, after months of rehab, he moved back home to Tennessee. But that wasn’t the end of Jeff’s Shepherd journey. After a year without rehabilitation, the abilities he had worked hard to restrengthen, like his memory and ability to multitask, regressed. That’s when Jeff heard from the SHARE Military Initiative, which provides rehabilitation for military veterans, service members, and first responders with traumatic brain injuries and mental health concerns. SHARE gave Jeff what he was missing and reminded him there’s no finish line for brain injury rehabilitation. “The best way to sum it up is to tell people I’m like an airplane, only I don’t have a cruising altitude,” he says. “I’m either taking off, or I’m crashing.” It’s clear that now, Jeff is taking off. Since graduating from SHARE, Jeff lives independently, drives, volunteers, and speaks out about brain injuries, even appearing on his local news station. You can learn more about Jeff here: https://bit.ly/40V36vg #TraumaticBrainInjury #RehabilitationJourney #ShepherdCenter #MilitarySupport #VeteranRehabilitation

Traumatic injuries are a leading cause of death and disability for young people through middle age. The good news? Most are preventable. At Shepherd Center, we’re not just committed to caring for people with traumatic injuries—we’re also passionate about preventing them. That’s why our Director of Injury Prevention and Education, Emma Harrington, sat down to share the history of injury prevention in public health and how it helps create safer communities. Our Injury Prevention Program focuses on reducing risks, increasing protective factors, and creating safer environments to stop critical injuries before they occur. From education to advocacy, we’re working to build a future where injury prevention is second nature. Injury prevention isn’t just a mission; it’s a movement toward a safer, healthier future for all. Join us on this National Injury Prevention Day by spreading awareness about the importance of injury prevention. #InjuryPrevention #ShepherdCenter #SafetyFirst #RestoringLives #PreventTrauma