Shepherd Center’s Post

Anyone can be susceptible to a concussion, and one of the most dangerous things about them is that you don’t need to lose consciousness to have lingering symptoms. In honor of #NationalConcussionAwarenessDay, we’re highlighting a patient’s journey after experiencing a concussion from her first ride on a kick scooter. Catherine McLean, a medical epidemiologist and internal medicine physician at the CDC in Atlanta, recalls that she didn’t lose consciousness after the fall. She simply picked herself back up and went inside like nothing happened. But a week later, she began experiencing symptoms. “I couldn’t think as clearly. Something wasn’t right, and I knew it,” she says. After a trip to the emergency room, she found out she had sustained a concussion with several complications. “I learned a lot about what can happen under the umbrella of concussions—migraines, disequilibrium, and various ocular-vestibular symptoms,” she explains. “I had a real eye-opener about how much worse it could have been had I not worn a helmet that day.” After a week in the hospital, Catherine was discharged, but her symptoms persisted. A friend and patient advocate recommended Shepherd Center’s Complex Concussion Clinic (CCC), led by Dr. Russell Gore, which specializes in treating clients with ongoing symptoms after a concussion. “The amount of time and attention they gave to my subtle signs and symptoms was impressive,” she says. “They bridged the gap between where I was and what I needed to recover.” While most concussions resolve within three to four weeks, about 20% of cases are more complex and require specialized care. In these cases, advanced assessment and rehabilitation can help patients return to their normal activities. It’s important to recognize lingering concussion symptoms and seek help early. #ConcussionRecovery #BrainHealth #ShepherdCenter #HelmetSafety #ComplexConcussion #ConcussionCare

September is Suicide Prevention Month, and we must recognize the unique challenges faced by people living with spinal cord injuries. During the early months following an injury, survivors are most vulnerable. Adults with spinal cord injuries have a near-80% increased risk of developing psychological conditions like depression and anxiety. Chronic pain often worsens these challenges, making mental health support even more vital. A recent study published in Spinal Cord shows that 59.1% of people with spinal cord injuries are diagnosed with a mental health condition, compared to 30.9% of those without. As a community, we must ensure that people with spinal cord injuries have access to the resources and support they need to navigate these challenging moments. Everyone deserves a network to turn to. Let’s come together to provide that support. #SuicidePreventionMonth #SpinalCordAwareness #Matter #ShepherdCenter

When 15-year-old Jase McDowell arrived at Shepherd Center in April, he was ready to put in the work. In March, Jase sustained a brain injury during a soccer game. His coach initially thought it was a concussion, but it turned out Jase had a pre-existing arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a tangle of blood vessels in his brain. After three brain surgeries, Jase finally arrived at Shepherd Center following a month of inpatient care at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston. When Jase first got to Shepherd, he needed assistance to walk and couldn't lift his left arm. “Every day, it was higher and higher, and now he's lifting it above his head,” says Amanda, Jase’s mother. “I remember him celebrating each milestone — every bit of progress was a big deal.” Determined to regain his function, return home, and hang out with friends, Jase gave therapy his all. “On Saturdays and Sundays, the therapists gave me access to some of the workout machines, and I would just go in there and use them,”Jase says. “As long as you do what they tell you, don’t complain, and just stick with it, you’ll make progress.” Before he completed the inpatient Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program, Jase was kicking a soccer ball in the Anna and Hays Mershon Secret Garden, shooting hoops in the Livingston Gym, and running down the halls of Shepherd Center with his physical therapist by his side. “I think the combination of Shepherd's expertise and his drive and determination was a perfect match,” Amanda says. Now at home, Jase is focused on getting his driver’s license and is back at practice with his travel soccer team. #BrainInjuryRecovery #AVMSurvivor #NeverGiveUp #PatientJourney #ShepherdCenter #MilestoneMoments #RoadToRecovery #KeepPushing #BrainInjuryAwareness

Today, we pause to remember the lives lost and the bravery shown on September 11, 2001. We honor the resilience of survivors and first responders and the strength of a nation united.

Exciting opportunities ahead! We're thrilled to host a College and Career Fair at Shepherd Center October 4th 10:30 a.m - 1:00 p.m. in the 7th floor auditorium to empower our patients as they explore future academic and career paths. This is an incredible opportunity to meet representatives from inclusive employers and educational institutions, such as The Home Depot, Delta Airlines, Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, Georgia Southern University, and more! These organizations are committed to working closely with Shepherd Center’s Vocational Services program to ensure your workplace and academic needs are met. Whether you’re pursuing higher education or looking for a fulfilling career, this event is all about connecting you with the right resources, tools, and guidance to help you succeed. Let’s open doors to your next chapter! #CareerFair #CollegeAndCareer #Empowerment #InclusiveWorkplace #ShepherdCenter #AccessibilityInAction #NextChapter #ShepherdStrong

Giddy up, partners! At our recent horsemanship clinic, hosted by our Recreation Therapy Program at Chastain Horse Park, four participants and five of their family members joined us for a day filled with learning and hands-on activities. From understanding basic horse care to grooming and tacking, everyone got a chance to get up close and personal with these magnificent animals. The day ended with some fun riding sessions, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with how it turned out. Thank you to Chastain Horse Park for hosting us and making this event unique! #Equestrian #HorsebackRiding #ChastainHorsePark #Inclusivity #RecreationTherapy #ShepherdCenter

Oh, don’t mind us—just snapping a few adorable doggo pics! Curious to see how they turned out? You'll have to wait until our 2025 facility dog calendar is released! Stay tuned! #FacilityDogs #WorkingDogs #TherapyDogs #Calendar2025 #ShepherdCenter

On February 5, 2020, Dustin “Dusty” McHenry had a near-death experience like something out of the movies after a car accident. “I don’t remember pain or anything. I just remember seeing all my deceased loved ones,” Dusty recalls. “My Mamaw Mac came up to me with a Little Debbie Zebra Cake, and my Granddaddy Bill, cigarette in hand, leaned down and said, ‘Not yet.’” That’s all Dusty remembers from the accident or the days before and after it. After numerous surgeries at Grady Memorial Hospital, Dusty arrived at Shepherd Center in March 2020. As he began to wake up, COVID-19 lockdowns had started, leaving him confused and surrounded by masked faces, including his old friend Michael Ellis, RN, who helped him understand what had happened. Dusty faced a long road to recovery, re-learning how to talk, walk, and eat while receiving critical wound care to prevent further complications. With the support of his care team, Dusty made remarkable progress and even completed outpatient therapy at Shepherd Pathways. Today, he’s back to driving his kids to school, flying with his pilot father-in-law, and cheering on his beloved Atlanta Braves. Want to learn more about Dusty’s rehab? Click the link below to read the full article. #SpinalCordInjury #TraumaticBrainInjury #ShepherdCenter #RehabJourney #SpinalCordAwareness #BrainInjuryRecovery #PathwaysToRecovery

Thank you to the vendors who came to our Recreation Therapy Program’s mini hand cycling expo! A special shoutout to Catalyst Sports and the Atlanta Tri Club for helping our patients explore the possibilities and options available with hand cycling. Although they couldn’t be here in person, we also want to recognize the Kelly Brush Foundation for their continued support. Last week, we participated in the Virtual Ride Fundraiser to thank them for all they do! #RecreationTherapy #HandCycling #CatalystSports #AtlantaTriClub #KellyBrushFoundation #AdaptiveSports #ShepherdCenter

A day of growth and learning! The Recreation Therapy Program's recent trip to Trellis Horticulture Therapy Alliance was a blooming success! Six participants and two family members joined us to learn about the art of plant propagation. Not only did everyone learn about the process, but they also had the chance to propagate their own plants to take home and nurture. Thank you to Trellis Horticulture Therapy Alliance for their generosity and for making this hands-on experience memorable! If you want to take advantage of any future Recreation Therapy clinics, click the link below. #HorticultureTherapy #PlantPropagation #TherapeuticGardening #RecreationTherapy #CommunityGrowth #ShepherdCenter #TrellisTherapy