Shepherd Center

Our participants recently cast their worries aside and enjoyed a peaceful escape from the city for a reel good time fly-fishing on a private creek near Helen, Georgia! Surrounded by nature, they spent the day hooked on learning new skills and soaking in the soothing water. #FlyFishing #ReelGoodTime #ShepherdCenter #RecreationTherapy

Join us in your college or career journey this Friday from 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the 7th-floor auditorium for our College & Career Fair! Meet with reps from top inclusive employers and educational institutions, including: The Home Depot Delta Airlines Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency Georgia Southern University ...and more! See you there! #CollegeAndCareerFair #ShepherdCenter #InclusiveOpportunities #VocRehab

A few weeks ago, Shepherd Center hosted an adapted scuba diving trip to Bonaire. Participants spent seven days in the beautiful Dutch Caribbean, complete with opportunities for 15 boat dives, shore diving, local tourism, and an unbelievable underwater experience. Led by Shepherd’s aquatic specialist, A.J. Sumser, CTRS, in partnership with Bert Quist, owner of Divers@Sea, this yearly trip continues to push the boundaries of independence and life following injury. To learn more about opportunities through our recreation Therapy Program, visit the link below. https://lnkd.in/euR4nWrz #AdaptiveScuba #ShepherdRecreation #RecreationTherapy #InclusiveDiving #ShepherdCenter #ScubaForAll #DiveIntoRecovery

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who supported #ShepherdCares 2025, our annual employee giving campaign! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce that, thanks to our team’s incredible generosity, we raised $230,580—surpassing our goal of $175,000! This year’s campaign will establish the Sarah Morrison Staff Support Fund, marking the first time this fund directly benefits our employees. The fund will provide emergency assistance to Shepherd Center employees facing financial crises due to natural disasters, house fires, or other unforeseen challenges. The theme "You've Got a Friend in Me" reflects the heart of this initiative, ensuring that our dedicated staff have a safety net when they need it most. Randy Newman said it best “If you've got troubles, I've got 'em too. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you…cause you've got a friend in me.” #EmployeeGiving #TeamShepherd #CommunityCare #ShepherdCenter #TogetherWeCan

After decades of advocacy, a significant victory for accessibility in New York City has been achieved! On August 29, the United Spinal Association and fellow plaintiffs secured a ruling from Judge George Daniels, requiring the city to honor its 2013 settlement to make 50% of its Yellow Cab fleet accessible. This win, long in the making, is a testament to the persistence and power of grassroots disability rights advocacy. Currently, only 35% of Yellow Cabs are accessible, but with this ruling, New York City is on its way to full accessibility. United Spinal's General Counsel, Jim Weisman, who helped draft the transportation section of the ADA, says it best: "Finally, New York City is well on its way to complete access." This victory highlights the importance of organizing and holding local governments accountable. Accessibility is a universal need, and through relentless advocacy, we can continue breaking down barriers nationwide. Click the link here to learn more about how advocates push for change and how you can get involved in the fight for accessible transportation. https://bit.ly/3TLWdIb 📸: NY Daily News #AccessibilityVictory #DisabilityRights #TransportationForAll #ADA #InclusiveTransportation #TransportationEquality #DisabilityAdvocacy #EqualAccess

When Mitchell returned home after his stay at Shepherd Center, his wife faced the daunting task of being his primary caregiver. With no medical background, she was understandably nervous and worried about providing the care he needed. That's when Abby, one of our dedicated nurses from the Transition Support Program (TSP), stepped in. The Transition Support Program aims to provide education, guidance, and support to patients and their families after discharge, improving health outcomes and increasing independence. It’s designed to help those with specific risk factors, ensuring a smoother transition home and reducing the chances of re-hospitalization. Abby became Mitchell and his wife’s lifeline for 60 days, offering her support Monday through Friday and answering all of Mitchell's wife's questions—sometimes five or six a day! She never hesitated, working tirelessly to find local resources, ensure follow-up care, and provide expert advice, even from a state away in South Carolina. Mitchell’s wife shared with us, "Abby made a difficult transition much smoother. Her patience and support were pivotal in our journey, and we are forever grateful." Mitchell, who sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a leg amputation in a motorcycle accident, has been home since April and continues on the road to recovery. We are honored to be a part of their journey. #CaregiverSupport #ShepherdCenter #TransitionSupportProgram #TraumaticBrainInjury #PatientCare #RehabilitationJourney #SpinalCordInjury

Adjusting to life after a spinal cord injury can feel overwhelming. You may look, feel, and see yourself differently, raising natural questions like, "Who am I now?" as you navigate changes in your identity, confidence, and relationships with family and friends. But life after a spinal cord injury is far from over. There are still endless opportunities to redefine yourself, explore new possibilities, and embrace life in ways you may not have imagined. In honor of Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month, we're spotlighting Cultivating Resilience, a video series we collaborated on with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. This series tackles spinal cord injuries' emotional and physical challenges, offering guidance and support to help individuals rediscover their identity and regain confidence. Click the link below to watch the entire series. https://bit.ly/4eN3O1v #SpinalCordInjuryAwareness #CultivatingResilience #RediscoverYourself #RehabilitationJourney #SpinalCordRecovery #ChristopherReeveFoundation #ShepherdCenter

Mark your calendars! The Shepherd Smash wheelchair rugby team is hosting an action-packed tournament on November 9 and 10, and you don't want to miss it! Whether you're a long-time supporter or new to the Shepherd family, this is the perfect opportunity to cheer on our incredible athletes, volunteer, and be part of something special. 🏉 Tournament Schedule: 📅 November 9 - 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - 12:30 - 4:00 p.m. - 3:30 - 7:30 p.m. 📅 November 10 - 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 📍 Where: Livingston Gym at Shepherd Center This event is family-friendly (remember, it can get loud!), and the athletes thrive with big crowds, so the more, the merrier! Let's make this event unforgettable! #WheelchairRugby #RugbyTournament #ShepherdSmash #AdaptiveSports #ShepherdCenter

September marks over a decade since #SpinalCordInjuryAwarenessMonth was officially recognized. What better time to explore the incredible research advances in spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation over the past ten years and the promising future ahead? We sat down with Edelle Field-Fote, PT, PhD, FAPTA, FASIA, director of Spinal Cord Injury Research and The Hulse SCI Research Lab at Shepherd Center, to discuss the latest innovations and exciting breakthroughs in #SCIResearch.

September is Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month! Did you know that approximately 18,000 new spinal cord injury (SCI) cases occur each year in the U.S.? An estimated 302,000 people are living with SCI, with vehicle crashes being the leading cause of injury, closely followed by falls, acts of violence, and sports/recreation activities. At Shepherd Center, it’s our mission to push the boundaries of research and rehabilitation for spinal cord injuries, helping patients lead fulfilling lives. This month, we honor the resilience and strength of those living with SCI and the families and friends who support them. Let’s continue raising awareness and working toward better care, treatments, and support for the SCI community. Resources: National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center #SCIAwareness #SpinalCordInjury #ShepherdCenter #SpinalCordInjuryMonth #Rehabilitation