FAST FRIENDS - Shepherd Center

Transcription

FAST FRIENDS
Shepherd Center patients form lasting
friendships following injury.
ALSO INSIDE
CLINICAL TRIALS EXPLAINED + ADVOCATING FOR ONESELF +
PREVENTING DIVING INJURIES + INTENSIVE WALKING PROGRAM
news.shepherd.org | Spring 2014
Shepherd Center Magazine:
Spinal Column®
Spring 2014
Shepherd Center
2020 Peachtree Road, NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
404-352-2020
[email protected]
news.shepherd.org
Spinal Column®
A LETTER FROM JAMES SHEPHERD
Editor
Katie Malone, M.S.
Design
Soloflight, Inc.
Contributing Writers
Sara Baxter, John Christensen, Amanda
Crowe, Phillip Jordan, Katie Malone, Bridget
Metzger, Jane Sanders, Scott Sikes, David
Simpson, Molly Turner, Matt Winkeljohn,
Angela Yarnish
Contributing Photographers
Louie Favorite, Gary Meek, Elizabeth O’Dell,
Gray Whitley, Jeremy Wilburn
Board of Directors
James H. Shepherd, Jr., Chairman
Gary Ulicny, Ph.D., President and CEO
Emory A. Schwall, Vice President
William C. Fowler, Treasurer
Stephen B. Goot, Corporate Secretary
Alana Shepherd, Recording Secretary
Members
Fred V. Alias, Gregory P. Anderson, David
F. Apple, Jr., M.D., C. Duncan Beard†, Brock
Bowman, M.D.*, Wilma Bunch*, James M.
Caswell, Jr., Sara S. Chapman, Clark
Dean, John S. Dryman, Mitchell J. Fillhaber*,
David H. Flint, Stephen B. Holleman*,
Michael L. Jones, Ph.D.*, Tammy King*,
Donald Peck Leslie, M.D., Douglas Lindauer,
Sarah Morrison, PT*, Julian B. Mohr, Charles
T. Nunnally III, Sally D. Nunnally, Clyde
Shepherd III, J. Harold Shepherd, Scott H.
Sikes*, James E. Stephenson, James D.
Thompson, Goodloe H. Yancey III†
*
†
Ex Officio
Emeritus
Shepherd Center Magazine: Spinal Column
is published quarterly by Shepherd Center, a
private, not-for-profit hospital specializing in
the treatment of people with spinal cord injury,
brain injury and multiple sclerosis. E-mail
change of address information or request to
be removed from our mailing list to magazine@
shepherd.org, or by mail to Shepherd Center,
Attn: Shepherd Center Magazine Mailing List,
2020 Peachtree Road, NW, Atlanta, Georgia,
30309. Please include mailing label. Shepherd
Center Magazine accepts no advertising.
Spinal Column is a registered trademark of
Shepherd Center.
About the Cover: Steph von Kuhn (left) and
Emily Bowen’s (right) families became friends
while both women were in Shepherd Center’s
Acquired Brain Injury Program. After discharge,
the two remain good friends, visiting each other
often and keeping in touch via phone, text and
social media. Photo by Jeremy Wilburn.
Dear Friends,
Shortly after my accident, while I was recovering in Piedmont Hospital, a family
friend, Clark Harrison began visiting with me regularly. Clark had been paralyzed
in World War II and was a successful local real estate developer who also served
as a DeKalb County Commission for many years.
Clark was a trailblazer and knew no barriers. He, and friends, Dave Webb, who
had been injured from a diving accident at a high school graduation party, and Roy
Day, became a tiny, informal network of peer supporters to me. They had all been in
my situation before, had gone on to live successful and constructive lives, and gave
me a sort of road map for how to navigate my life post-injury.
It was their support that gave me hope at the very beginning that there was life
beyond injury and it could be fun, engaging and productive.
Following rehabilitation, I had lunch with Clark to thank him for his friendship and
support. At that lunch, I said to Clark that someone ought to look into doing spinal
cord injury rehabilitation in Atlanta. From there, we spoke to my parents and further
developed the idea for Shepherd Center. We also recruited David Apple, M.D., who
enthusiastically joined in our efforts.
Once Shepherd Center opened in August 1975, it was a natural given that we
would do some kind of peer support on a more formal basis. We began asking
former patients to come by the hospital and talk to our current ones. We also got
some of our peer supporters from family members who had a loved one with a
spinal cord injury.
I’m not sure when we started calling it peer support, but today our peer support
program has grown into a vast network of people and resources. We currently have
three peer supporters on staff, all of who have been patients in the spinal cord injury
unit at Shepherd Center. Not only do our in-house peer supporters offer on-site
support to our inpatients, Day Program patients and family members, they also run
several support groups with the help of a team of more than 30 volunteers. Thanks
to the Brain Injury Peer Visitor Association, we offer peer support for our patients with
brain injury and family members at Shepherd Center and Shepherd Pathways.
Through the National MS Society, we offer an MS peer support group for our patient
population with multiple sclerosis as well. To read more about the importance of
peer support, see our cover story on page 6. For more information on the support
groups we offer, see the cover story sidebar on page 11 and visit our website at
shepherd.org/resources/support-groups.
I know, firsthand, how significant and impactful peer support can be to a person
who has just experienced a life-changing injury. Like me, in many ways, it was peer
support that gave Shepherd Center its wings to fly in the beginning.
Warm regards,
James H. Shepherd, Jr.
Chairman of the Board
CONTENTS
Spring 2014 • Shepherd Center
COVER STORY, Page 6:
Shepherd Center patients
form lasting friendships
following injury.
DEPARTMENTS
PHOTO BY GARY MEEK
2
4
5
18
20
22
30
See news.shepherd.org
for additional online content.
SHORT
TAKES
FEATURES
6
RESEARCH
Pushing Rehabilitation Care
Forward through Clinical Trials
MEDICAL STAFF PROFILE
Angela Beninga, D.O.
12
ALUMNI
PROFILES
14
FOUNDATION
FEATURES
HONORARIUMS
AND MEMORIALS
Shepherd Center patients form
lasting friendships following injury.
A NEW REALITY:
BEING YOUR OWN
BEST ADVOCATE
Shepherd Center experts
provide advice for returning
home following rehabilitation.
PATIENT PROFILE
Yvette Pegues
COVER STORY:
FAST FRIENDS
16
PREVENTING
DIVING INJURIES
Shepherd Center embarks on
a mission to reduce the single
most preventable cause of
spinal cord injury.
MOVING FORWARD
Shepherd Step, an intensive
walking program, gives hope.
Gifts of Generosity
If you would like to make a gift to support the work you have read
about, please contact Scott H. Sikes at the Shepherd Center
Foundation at 404-350-7305 or visit shepherd.org.
S
short
takes
Shepherd Center has earned a
statewide award for preventing and
controlling infections in the hospital.
The Josh Nahum Award for
Achievement in Infection Prevention
and Control was awarded by the Georgia
Hospital Association. Specifically,
Shepherd Center was recognized for
its efforts to reduce hospital-acquired
MRSA infections, which are common
among people who have weak immune
systems and are in hospitals, nursing
homes, and other health care centers.
Infections can appear around surgical
wounds or devices, like catheters or
implanted feeding tubes. Rates of infection
in hospitals, especially intensive care
units, are rising throughout the world. In
U.S. hospitals, MRSA causes more than
60 percent of staph infections, according
to WebMD.
The award recognizes hospitals with
the greatest improvement and participation
in all “Hospital-Acquired Conditions”
improvement activities through Georgia
Hospital Association’s Hospital
Engagement Network collaboration.
“Keeping our patients safe and
infection free is our No. 1 priority, which
is evident based on this recognition,”
says Gary Ulicny, Ph.D., Shepherd Center
president and CEO.
Since 2011, Shepherd Center has
reduced the rate of MRSA by more than
50 percent, resulting in 20 fewer patients
each year acquiring MRSA. While Shepherd
Center staff has always used standard
precautions to treat patients, early
identification of MRSA using nasal swab
testing upon admission was key to this
project. Prior to initiating the new practice,
the 2011 MRSA rate was 0.74 per 1,000
patients days, resulting in 30 patients
with MRSA. In 2013, the rate has declined
to 0.31 per 1,000 patient days with only
10 cases of MRSA. Shepherd Center’s
Shepherd Center Launches Online News Source
This winter, Shepherd Center’s Public Relations Department launched an
online multimedia news website. The site, news.shepherd.org, offers timely,
relevant, informative and entertaining news, features, blogs, graphics, videos
and photos.
The news source is updated frequently with new articles, images and videos,
so viewers may want to bookmark the page in their web browser and/or
subscribe to the website’s RSS feed, which will deliver content to readers’ email
inboxes. The content is also shared via Shepherd Center’s social media pages
on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Visitors can search the website’s media library for archived content, as
well. That content includes articles published in past issues of Shepherd
Center’s quarterly magazine and videos featuring Shepherd Center staff
members and former patients. Jane Sanders
2 • news.shepherd.org
evidence-based practice is leading to
safer care for patients.
The Hospital Engagement Network
(HEN) is a national contract awarded
by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services (CMS). It engages hospitals
across the country to improve patient
safety and quality, and achieve lower
costs. The goal of the HEN is to reduce
unnecessary readmissions by 20 percent
and avoidable harm by 40 percent.
A Shepherd Center nurse works with a patient
in the Acquired Brain Injury unit.
PHOTO BY GARY MEEK
Shepherd Center Earns Statewide Award for Preventing
and Controlling Hospital-Acquired Infections
Injury Prevention Program
Launches New Video for Students
PHOTO BY LOUIE FAVORITE
Shepherd Center’s injury prevention program has
created a new video featuring highlights from a visit
to Campbell Middle School in May 2013.
Viewers get a glimpse into the lives of former
Shepherd Center patients Gavin, Pranjal, Alex – all
spinal cord injury survivors – as well as Molly and
Billy – both former traumatic brain injury patients. They
candidly discuss their injuries, what life is like now
and how their injuries might have been prevented.
In addition to the former patients, the video also
features six Shepherd Center staff members representing
the disciplines of physical, occupational, recreational
and speech therapy, as well as, case management
and counseling. Viewers learn about these careers
in the field of rehabilitation and the relationships that
develop between patients and staff.
The video is used in conjunction with the seventh
grade science curriculum that has been taught in Cobb
County middle schools for the past few years.
The video is in two segments, each approximately
30 minutes long and can be found on Shepherd
Center’s YouTube channel. Search Brain and Spinal
Cord Injuries: Life Beyond Injury, Related Careers
and Injury Prevention, Part One and Part Two or visit,
shepherd.org/resources/injuryprevention/brainspine-curriculum. Bridget Metzger
Former patient Kelly Blanton talks to middle school students in Cobb County,
Ga., with Shepherd Center’s Injury Prevention Program.
Shepherd Center Co-Founder and CEO named to Atlanta Business Chronicle’s ‘Who’s Who in Healthcare’
Shepherd Center co-founder Alana
Shepherd and President and CEO
Gary Ulicny, Ph.D., have been
named to the Atlanta Business
Chronicle’s annual “Who’s Who in
Healthcare” report.
The listing highlights the names
and faces of 100 prominent people
in the metro Atlanta healthcare
industry. The Atlanta Business
Chronicle’s annual report aims to
identify key business leaders who are
influential in Atlanta’s healthcare sector.
“Healthcare is a fast growing, rapidly
changing sector of the economy,”
Ulicny says. “I’m pleased to be honored
as a business leader in the metro Atlanta
area to help navigate healthcare’s new
landscape.” Angela Yarnish
(Left) Alana Shepherd, Shepherd Center co-founder;
(Right) Gary Ulicny, Ph.D., President and CEO, Shepherd Center
Spinal Column® / Spring 2014 •
3
R
research
Clinical Trials
Pushing Rehabilitation Care Forward
BY AMANDA CROWE, MA, MPH
In laboratories and medical centers across the
globe, scientists are uncovering and testing new
ways to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries –
a rigorous process that often starts in animal
models. If and when these treatments move
beyond basic or what might be called “bench
science,” they must be proven both safe and
effective in humans before they can ever become
the standard of care.
At Shepherd Center, clinical trials have helped
researchers uncover new approaches to help
maximize rehabilitation. Two Shepherd Center
researchers, Issi Clesson, RN, director of clinical
trials, and Deborah Backus, PT, Ph.D., director of
multiple sclerosis research, weigh in on the basics.
Why do we need clinical trials?
Simply stated, without carefully designed studies
(called clinical trials), advances in rehabilitation
care wouldn’t happen.
This type of research has paved the way for
new drugs, biologics, devices and other therapies
to help:
• prevent secondary damage that quickly
follows spinal cord injury;
• promote neurological recovery;
• manage symptoms and/or improve function
(spasticity, sexual function, walking speeds
and bladder management);
• alter the way the immune system works
in multiple sclerosis (MS);
• generally make life better for people
with disabilities.
Clinical Trial
Resources
For information about
clinical trials, talk with
your care provider. You
can also visit:
• Shepherd.org/research
• Clinicaltrials.gov
• Centerwatch.com
More online at
news.shepherd.org
Clinical trials also help researchers and clinicians
determine the best way to diagnose a problem,
administer rehabilitation care (when, how often and
how much) and identify which individuals will have
the best outcomes.
Why should someone consider
participating in a clinical trial?
It depends on your situation, but there can be many
upsides. Being part of a clinical trial allows you to
take a more active role in your care. It may also
give you access to treatments – new medications
or devices to improve function and mobility – that
wouldn’t otherwise be available. You are also
helping researchers answer critical questions that
will help others like you in the future.
Are there risks?
Being in a clinical trial doesn’t guarantee that you
will improve or receive the investigational therapy.
You may, instead, be in the control group, which
means you will receive the current standard of care
or a placebo (an inactive medication). There can
be unexpected side effects, but the research team
monitors these closely.
How do I know if I can take part?
All clinical trials have specific criteria about who
can and cannot participate (called inclusion and
exclusion criteria). At Shepherd, an early trial looking
at an investigational stem cell therapy was limited
to patients with a diagnosis of complete spinal
cord injury. The reason? So that researchers are
more confident that a response is due to the therapy
and less likely because of natural healing.
Can I change my mind once I enroll?
Yes. You can always choose to leave a clinical trial.
But you should share your reasons with the research
team and you may have to return for a follow up visit.
How is Shepherd Center involved
in clinical trials?
Shepherd Center is committed to improving the
lives of patients and families. “Clinical trials are one
avenue to advance this goal,” Clesson says. A trial
at Shepherd led to FDA approval of a diaphragm
pacing system device that allows ventilator-dependent
patients with spinal cord injury to wean off the
ventilator full or part-time. “The study not only freed
some patients from the ventilator, it also was an
improvement on the previous device and invasive
surgical techniques,” Clesson adds.
At any given time, about 550 people are
participating in research at Shepherd.
P
staff
profile
ANGELA BENINGA, D.O., STAFF PHYSIATRIST AND DIRECTOR
OF SHEPHERD CENTER’S SPINAL CORD INJURY DAY PROGRAM
INTERVIEWED BY PHILLIP JORDAN
A doctor of osteopathic medicine, Angela Beninga, D.O., is a staff physiatrist in
Shepherd Center’s Multi-Specialty Clinic and the director of Shepherd Center’s
Spinal Cord Injury Day Program. Dr. Beninga is a native of Sioux Falls, S.D. She
moved to Atlanta to join Shepherd Center in September 2012.
EXPERIENCE
Q: What have you learned about Shepherd
Center since you began working here?
A: Probably a tenth of what I’ll know in a few
more years! But I do know that it definitely
lives up to its reputation. It’s very unique to
work at a place where you see patients from
all over the world coming for the services
available here. The knowledge base of the
staff and the level of care – by everyone –
is incredible. It’s been an eye-opening
experience so far.
Past director of spinal
cord injury medicine,
assistant professor,
University of Cincinnati’s
Drake Center; spinal
cord injury rehabilitation
fellowship, University
of Michigan; medical
internship, Ingham
Regional Medical
Center, Lansing, Mich.
RESIDENCY
Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation, Michigan
State University
Q: What keeps you motivated and learning
in your position?
A: One reason I was interested in treating spinal
cord injuries is that it exposes you to people
from all different kinds of backgrounds and
places who have different types of injury.
You approach each person differently. My
work is a daily reminder of how much I have
to be grateful for in my life. That’s a testament
to how well so many of the people I work with
are able to turn a catastrophic injury into
something positive.
Q: How did you choose to focus on spinal
cord injuries?
A: I always wanted to do physical medicine and
rehabilitation. As an athlete when I was younger,
I marveled at the human body, how it heals
and rehabilitates itself. That was fascinating
to me.
Q: Did you have an injury that made you
realize that?
A: No. During the third year of my residency,
my first rotation was working with spinal cord
injuries. That wound up being the most fun,
enjoyable eight weeks of my residency. You
meet so many different people and have to
approach their injuries from different angles.
I also like that with spinal cord injury medicine,
no two days are ever the same.
INTERESTING FACTS
MEDICAL SCHOOL
Kansas City University
of Medicine and
Biosciences
UNDERGRADUATE
DEGREE
University of
South Dakota
FUN FACTS
Angela Beninga, D.O., works with a patient in Shepherd Center’s
Multi-Specialty Clinic.
Q: Is there a guiding philosophy or rule you
keep in mind at work?
A: That it’s important to see the positive in every
situation. We all go though things in our lives –
experiences, changes and adjustments.
Some are good; some are bad. But even in
the bad ones, there’s something about that
experience that enhances who you are as
a person. Whether that’s your outlook on
something, your drive, or whatever it may be,
something positive can be found in every
experience.
• What nickname
is bestowed upon
you when you’re a
6-foot, 1-inch college
basketball player
named Beninga?
“Big Ben.”
• When Dr. Beninga
has free time, you’ll
most likely find her
outdoors. She likes
hiking, kayaking and
anything on the water.
• Her 2-year-old boxers,
Jackson and Zoey,
often accompany
her outside. They are
not, however, up for
anything on the water.
“They hate the water!”
More online at
news.shepherd.org
5
FAST
FRIENDS
Shepherd Center patients
form lasting friendships
following injury.
By David Simpson
Luke Hampton and Kelly Blanton
didn’t know it at the time, but the
casual friendship that developed
between the two at Shepherd Center would
become an important bond that only people
who have faced a similar catastrophic event like
a spinal cord injury could truly understand.
“We’re around people all day everyday who are up
walking around, feeding themselves – you know, just
everything we can’t do for ourselves,” Luke says. “To
have somebody who understands where you’re coming
from and knows your situation is really important.”
Emily Bowen and Steph von Kuhn like the fact that they don’t typically
talk about their traumatic brain injuries when they discuss daily life or
the future. “We just want to get on with our lives,” Steph says.
It’s something that staff members at Shepherd Center know
well: patients who open up, develop friendships and support
one another while in rehabilitation will often have a friend
for life who understands them better than many people.
“It is a great relief to know that you can talk with
someone about something so personal and
have that person understand exactly what
you are talking about,” says Minna Hong,
supervisor for the spinal cord injury
peer support program.
Luke
and
Kelly
Kelly Blanton, 20, and Luke Hampton,
20, met in 2012 while Luke was an
inpatient and Kelly was in the Day
Program at Shepherd Center. Today,
the two talk often via phone, text and
video chat.
PHOTO PHOTO
BY NAME
BY GRAY WHITLEY
“TO HAVE SOMEBODY WHO UNDERSTANDS WHERE YOU’RE COMING
FROM AND KNOWS YOUR SITUATION IS REALLY IMPORTANT.” — LUKE HAMPTON
LUKE AND KELLY
Luke Hampton was a high school football and baseball
player in Sparta, N.C. He was also on the wrestling team. At
a tournament in December 2011, the mat he was using
happened to be placed against a wall.
Luke performed a “shoot,” a quick dive at his opponent to
try to take him down.
“He sidestepped me and threw me into the wall headfirst,” Luke says. With that move, Luke sustained a C-4 spinal
cord injury.
After surgery at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in
Winston-Salem, N.C., and almost four weeks in Shepherd
Center’s intensive care unit, Luke transferred to the inpatient
spinal cord injury unit on Jan. 1, 2012.
It was about that time when, Kelly Blanton came by his
room and introduced herself. Like Luke, she was an 18-yearold from North Carolina.
Kelly, who is from Taylorsville, had been thrown from her
horse in a practice ring at a rodeo in Oklahoma in July 2011,
resulting in a C-3-to-4 spinal cord injury. She spent four months
at Shepherd Center as an inpatient and returned for outpatient
therapy a few days before Luke moved out of the ICU.
She had heard about Luke even before her return, and
then she learned that she and Luke would have the same
therapy team.
“The therapists told me his name and that he’s from North
Carolina,” she recalls. “They wanted me to come meet him.”
Luke recalls that at first, “We just told each other about
one another. Then it went into talking about our injuries and
how they were kind of the same.”
“It was like we were in the same boat,” Kelly says. “They
were pretty severe injuries.”
When Kelly was an inpatient, she was the only person on her
floor still using a ventilator to breathe. She needed surgery to
7
Steph
and
Emily
Steph von Kuhn (left), 25,
and Emily Bowen (right), 23,
learned quickly that they had
much more in common beyond
their brain injuries.
attach a stimulator to her diaphragm before she could breathe
on her own.
When Luke and Kelly met, Luke was in the same situation.
“I knew how it was going to go and how hard it was to be the
only one on a vent and not really knowing what was going
on,” Kelly says.
“I was just starting to get used to everything,” Luke says. “She
filled me in on it and talked to me about it and helped me with it.”
Hong says such patient-to-patient conversations are “peer
support at its core.”
“There is nothing worse than feeling that no one understands
you or knows what you are going through, especially something
as big as a spinal cord or brain injury,” she says.
“Our goal is to let people who acquire a spinal cord injury to
know that they are not alone,” she says. “And they will not get an
extra feather in their cap if they manage alone. We are about
sharing tips, trick, ideas and resources. There is no need to
reinvent the wheel.”
The Shepherd Spinal Cord Injury Peer Support program is
made up of community members and former Shepherd patients
who are as much as 40 years or more beyond their injuries.
“They are living life with vigor, passion and gratitude,” Hong says.
Luke and Kelly had similar adjustments to make to regain
their vigorous lifestyles.
“We were both really active,” Kelly says. Luke played several
sports, and Kelly was a rodeo barrel racer, played tennis and
ran track in high school.
“This one commonality we both had, this injury, branches out
to be a lot of things – like friendship,” she says.
STEPH AND EMILY
At first glance, you’d think two people couldn’t be more different
than Steph von Kuhn and Emily Bowen. Steph grew up in
England while Emily was raised in a small town in South Georgia.
But when they met at Shepherd Center, they found they
had much more in common than just being assigned to the
same hospital floor and group therapy sessions in the brain
injury unit.
“It’s funny because she’s from England and she’s just as
country as I am,” says Emily, now 23.
Steph, now 25, had followed her parents and younger
sister from England to Savannah, Ga., after she graduated
from college in 2011.
She comes from a family of avid equestrians and
competed as a show jumper. While exercising her horse one
day, the animal slipped on wet grass and threw her to the
ground. She arrived at Shepherd Center in April 2012 and was
admitted to the Acquired Brain Injury Program.
When Steph arrived, Emily had been a patient for two
weeks. She was a passenger in a car that had been
knocked off the road and into a tree. Even though she
was wearing a seat belt, Emily sustained a brain injury from
the crash impact.
At Shepherd, their parents met and realized that the young
women likely could become friends.
“Our families were the ones who got to talking at first,”
Steph says. “Emily and I were still a bit hazy and couldn’t
really make sense of the whole situation. We would have had
trouble having a conversation at first. It takes a while for
speech to come back to full strength.”
PHOTO BY JEREMY WILBURN
“OUR GOAL IS TO LET PEOPLE WHO ACQUIRE A SPINAL CORD INJURY TO
KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE.” –MINNA HONG, SHEPHERD SPINAL CORD INJURY PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM
Later, Steph recalls, they began talking at meals and
got know each other during inpatient therapy and in the
outpatient program at Shepherd Pathways in Decatur, Ga.
Emily is hazier on exactly how the friendship started.
“I forgot a lot,” she says. Memory loss is common for
people during their recovery from brain injury.
Steph and Emily were both “A” students who had to
learn new ways to remember – Steph so she could go to
graduate school, Emily to pursue her undergraduate degree.
“My grades before were great, a 3.6 grade point average,”
Steph says, “Now I have to actually work twice as hard to
get that. I have to start learning things earlier so it goes
more into long-term memory.”
“That’s how I am, too,” Emily adds. “I used to have
an awesome memory. I used to do theater. I knew
everybody’s lines.”
Memory is one of the major challenges brain injury
survivors can help each other address, says Shepherd
Center counselor Terri Kohn, LPC.
“It gives the survivor a feeling of normalcy as he or
she is not the only person expressing a similar feeling
or thought,” Kohn says.
In addition to informal friendships and structured
group therapy, volunteers from the Brain Injury Peer Visitor
Association call on inpatients as well as outpatients
at Shepherd.
Of the 24 current volunteers, 15 are former Shepherd
brain injury patients or their caregivers, says association
director Ann Boriskie.
The volunteers made more than 1,100 peer visits at
Shepherd Center in 2013.
UNDERSTANDING THE CHALLENGES
Daily life poses greater challenges for Luke and Kelly, both
of whom use power wheelchairs.
“When I got home and went into public places, I didn’t
feel comfortable,” Luke says. He says he wondered, “What
are these people going to ask me? What’s going to happen?”
At Shepherd, Luke says, “Everybody around me liked
me and obviously understood where I was coming from.”
Back home, family and friends who offered help and
encouragement “understand better than most people
because they’re around all the time. But people like me and
Kelly, who are good friends, that’s who really understands
because we’re in the same boat.”
“You can rely on each other,” Kelly says.
“Don’t get me wrong,” Kelly adds. “At times, it’s hard.
You can’t be super-positive 100 percent of the time. But you
do realize it’s going to be OK. I feel like friends keep your
perspective better. You realize that you can do things. You
can set goals and go to school and better your life.”
The friends text frequently. Both drive adapted vans with
room for a passenger who also uses a chair. So they could
make the hour-and-15-minute drive between their hometowns
for a movie night or dinner. They’ve also tried bowling.
“We both have an adapter to go on the chairs,”
Luke explains.
Kelly, whose injury came shortly after high school
graduation, enrolled at North Carolina State University
in fall 2013. That made visits harder to arrange, but they
keep in touch with calls and texts.
PHOTOS BY JEREMY WILBURN AND GRAY WHITLEY
“PEER SUPPORT GIVES THE SURVIVOR A FEELING OF NORMALCY AS HE OR SHE
IS NOT THE ONLY PERSON EXPRESSING A SIMILAR FEELING OR THOUGHT.” — TERRI KOHN, LPC
9
CAPTION
Shepherd Center peer support
supervisor Minna Hong (right)
speaks with a former patient at
a peer support gathering.
COMMON BONDS BEYOND BRAIN INJURY
Steph and Emily had group therapy together at Shepherd
Center. Now, they say, brain injury is not a topic of conversation.
“We leave that off the table,” Emily says.
They keep in touch via email, electronic chat, Facebook,
Instagram and Snapchat. What do they talk about?
After several long pauses, Emily says, “Boys.” Both
women laugh.
They do have other common interests.
Even before they met, Steph had learned to love country
music from her younger sister who had arrived first in Georgia.
Emily found Steph “was pretty up to date” on the music,
and they have attended a concert together.
Both drive pickup trucks.
They’ve been to a shooting range, and hunting is now on
the agenda.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Steph, Emily, Kelly and Luke are all looking ahead to education
and career goals, some with new outlooks.
Steph had been accepted in the master’s degree program
in prosthetics and orthotics at the University of Hartford in
Connecticut before her injury. She entered the program after
treatment, but then decided to return to Georgia and focus on
an advanced degree in physical therapy.
She is looking at graduate schools in the Southeast,
determined to stay in her adopted region.
Recently, Steph got on her horse, Tempest, for the first time
since the accident.
“It was amazing, just walking around for five minutes,” she
says. To avoid further injury, her doctors don’t advise that she
return to serious riding.
After her therapy at Shepherd Center, Emily took a class
at Middle Georgia College and then tried Armstrong State
University, further from home. She used a tutor to help with
memory exercises, but decided to return to Middle Georgia
where she could have more support from family.
She is now an education major.
Kelly’s experience at Shepherd Center influenced her goals.
“I wanted to be a veterinarian,” Kelly says. “Now I’ve kind of
changed my mind. I either want to be in animal science with
therapy animals or maybe a counselor, something in psychology.”
Luke, ever the outdoor type, had worked as an intern at an
electric company and wanted to be a lineman on power poles.
Now he is thinking about working on the business side of
utilities. He has taken business and accounting classes at
Wilkes Community College.
Luke and Kelly also hope they can meet more people
with similar injuries, who need the kind of help they’ve given
each other.
“I will be open to talk to anybody like us, people who don’t
have anybody to talk to,” Luke says.
Even injured people with nothing else in common can
support each other, Kelly says.
“You’re in the same boat. You know what’s going on,” Kelly
says. “There are people you never would have met otherwise,
and you realize it’s a good thing to have them in your life.”
PHOTO BY GARY MEEK
“IT IS A GREAT RELIEF TO KNOW THAT YOU CAN TALK WITH SOMEONE AND HAVE THAT
PERSON UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.” - MINNA HONG, SHEPHERD CENTER
FINDING
THE RIGHT
SUPPORT
WHILE IT’S TRUE THAT FRIENDS OFFER INVALUABLE
SUPPORT, STRUCTURED GROUPS PLAY AN IMPORTANT
ROLE IN THE LIVES OF MANY PEOPLE WITH SPINAL CORD
INJURY, BRAIN INJURY OR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS.
“There is a sense of camaraderie, caring, humor, validation and confrontation that can happen
in a support group setting,” says Shepherd Center counselor Terri Kohn, LPC.
“It is much more meaningful if a peer calls you out on something that you have done or need
to do,” Kohn explains. “For instance, if the survivor is using unhealthy coping mechanisms rather
than healthy ones and another survivor confronts them, it is much more effective than a
professional saying the same thing.”
Shepherd Center offers professionally led
support groups for spinal cord and brain
injury survivors, as well as people with
multiple sclerosis. Some are open to the
public. For more information, visit
shepherd.org/resources/support-groups.
For other spinal cord injury support groups
around the country, visit spinalcord.org/
nscia-support-groups.
For chapters of the National Multiple
Sclerosis Society around the country, visit:
nationalmssociety.org/find-a-chapter/
index.aspx.
Shepherd’s brain injury support groups are
private, but survivors and caregivers may find
information about the Brain Injury Peer Visitor
Association at braininjurypeervisitor.org.
The site has listings for brain injury support
groups across the country.
Brain injury survivors also may find
groups by contacting their local hospital’s
stroke coordinator, rehabilitation department
or social worker.
Shepherd Center peer support coordinator Pete Anziano (right)
talks with other peer supporters at a monthly meeting held in the
Shepherd Center auditorium.
PHOTO BY GARY MEEK
CAPTION
Spinal Column® / Spring 2014 • 11
A NEW REALITY
Being Your Own Best Advocate
Shepherd Center experts provide advice for returning
home following rehabilitation.
Sean Goral, 22, was just six credits
away from earning a bachelor’s degree
in biology at Georgia Southern University
when he was injured in a car accident.
In what seemed like a flash, his life was
forever changed when he sustained a
C-5 to -6 spinal cord injury (SCI). Through
his recovery, he has quickly learned how
important it is to problem solve, speak
up and advocate for himself.
But, as Sean knows, the shift to
becoming your own best advocate
is not always easy.
“Even though patients participate in
education and training here at Shepherd
Center, and are given many resources to
access in their own community, it can still
be very frightening to leave this cocoon
and go home,” says Ginger Martin, M.Ed.,
CCC-SLP, CCM, manager of Shepherd’s
Transition Support Program.
It’s often difficult for people who are
newly injured to anticipate their life in the
future. But worries abound about how
to cover medical-related costs. A major
challenge is that very few healthcare
providers outside of rehabilitation are
familiar with spinal cord or brain injury,
so patients and their caregivers must
quickly become experts on their specific
injury and unique needs. This may even
mean educating their local healthcare
providers, Martin explains.
To ease the transition, the Transition
Support Program staff members work
one-on-one with patients like Sean to
anticipate the services and therapies
that will best meet their long-term needs
back home.
“The goal is to help our patients
maintain their health once they leave
Shepherd Center,” says Darlene Johnson,
a transition support coordinator who
works with Sean.
The more active patients are in
managing their care and tapping into
supportive resources, the better. Sean’s
team says he has been a shining example
of someone who is working hard to
adjust to his spinal cord injury – focusing
on what he can do versus the limits that
have been imposed upon him.
“Sean has been able to successfully –
with the help of his family – manage his
traumatic injury at the same time as
moving forward and pursuing resources
that can help with his independence and
livelihood.”
His efforts are paying off. In 2013, Sean
applied for and received two grants –
$15,000 from Georgia’s Brain and Spinal
Injury Trust Fund and $2,500 from the
Center for Financial Independence and
Innovation – to put toward an accessible
vehicle to accommodate his power
wheelchair and facilitate transfers.
“It’s been really liberating,” he says.
An avid surfer and runner, he also
applied for a hand cycle and other sports
equipment to stay active and build his
strength.
Of course, it can be a major task to fill
out the paperwork, especially if you can’t
write or don’t have use of your hands. But,
Sean and his mom say it’s been well
worth the effort.
“You are at such a disadvantage just
trying to get basic things done, but there
are lots of programs available to help
people in this situation,” says Sean, who
suggests setting aside a day each week
to complete paperwork.
Grants cover basic medical equipment
up to higher-ticket items, such as down
payments for adaptive vehicles and
home modifications.
Sean’s mom, Janice, says one of the
first steps in advocating for yourself or
a loved one is to actually take that first
step – no matter how overwhelmed or
downtrodden you feel.
“When you are first injured, there is
a tendency to retreat,” she says. “But if
you can push yourself beyond what feels
comfortable – perhaps reaching out to
someone else with your type of injury –
it can make a big difference.”
Sean Goral, 22, talks with exercise specialist Lisa Egan
in the ProMotion gym at Shepherd Center.
BY AMANDA CROWE, MA, MPH
TIPS: WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF AND STAY WELL?
1
2
Know what to reasonably expect. Linking up with a peer can help
give a realistic picture of what may happen upon returning home and how
to plan ahead.
Build and rely on your support network. Whether it’s to help lift your
spirits on a down day, pitch in with chores and keep up with medical bills or to
accompany you to physical therapy or medical appointments, you need trusted
people to lean on.
3
Identify the right doctors and facilities to continue your care.
4
Shop around for the pharmacy that best meets your needs.
5
You are going to get a cold or a UTI, and preventive visits are critical.
Keep in mind that some deliver.
Be aware of and understand your rights.
Know your rights related to your disability and health insurance,
as well as your right to get the best care.
Take advantage of “My Shepherd Connection” and the
relationships you’ve made. MyShepherdConnection.org is full of useful
6
information and tools about all aspects of your care and returning to home.
7
Find additional resources to help. There are a number of national
organizations – for example, the Brain Injury Association of America and
National Spinal Cord Injury Association of America – that have local chapters
and support services. Other groups may offer free supplies (shower benches,
bedside commodes, catheters and wheelchairs.)
8
Be persistent. Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer if it is something you are
9
Breathe easy. Patients’ fear and anxiety post-discharge is often what lands
them back in the hospital, right behind preventable infections.
eligible for. You may have to apply two or three times.
Preventing
Diving Injuries
Shepherd Center embarks on a mission to reduce the
single most preventable cause of spinal cord injury.
As a party was ending one evening in August 2012,
27-year-old Chase Jones, of Atlanta, dove into the pool for
one last time before leaving. He awoke floating face down
with no recollection of what happened. And when he realized
he couldn’t move, he wondered who would help him.
“It was a surreal moment,” he says. “I was shocked
and scared, and then I blacked out again.”
A friend found him on the bottom of the pool and the
host, a former Army paramedic, gave him mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation before an ambulance took him to a nearby
hospital.
After surgery to stabilize fractures in his C-4 to -6
vertebrae, Chase was transferred to Shepherd Center and
spent the next five months undergoing rehabilitation and
learning to navigate life in a wheelchair.
Unfortunately, Chase’s story is all too familiar at
Shepherd Center, which is why the hospital is launching
a diving injury prevention campaign this spring.
In the past 10 years, Shepherd Center has treated 161
patients with diving-related spinal cord injury. Eighty-nine
percent of them were male, and 92 percent of them were
under the age of 40. During the summer months, diving
injuries among teenagers and young adults are twice as
common as auto accidents.
“I hate to see kids come in who are paralyzed for life,”
says Herndon Murray, M.D., medical director of the Spinal
Cord Injury Program. “And diving is low-hanging fruit when
it comes to prevention.”
Bridget Metzger, director of injury prevention and
education, says the campaign will include posters and
signs, magazine ads, a social media video and perhaps a
radio spot, as well. Although Georgia and metro Atlanta are
the primary targets, an accompanying online social media
campaign will take the message worldwide.
“We want it to be out when the pools open and people
start going to the beach on Memorial Day weekend,”
PHOTO BY NAME
BY JOHN CHRISTENSEN
“Diving is what teenage boys do.
Each summer, it’s like an epidemic.”
– Herndon Murray, M.D.
Metzger says. “We want to have an aggressive reach for
about a month and then try to maintain a social media aspect
throughout the summer. The whole point is to raise awareness
that these injuries do happen, and they are so severe and so
preventable. We get very passionate about this particular
cause of injury.”
The campaign follows three years of statistical research
and interviews with focus groups comprised of diving
injury patients.
“We interviewed kids and asked them ‘how did you get
hurt?’ and ‘what did it feel like when you hit the bottom?’ and
‘what did it feel like when you couldn’t breathe?’” Dr. Murray
says. “What we found is something you could call ‘Proven
Ways to Break Your Neck by Diving This Summer: Dive Off
a Dock into a River, Dive into a Swimming Pool, Dive into a
Wave at the Ocean, Dive Off a Rock into a River.’”
Dr. Murray gave a presentation at the International Spinal
Cord Injury Society convention in Istanbul in fall 2013
emphasizing that “diving injury is the single most preventable
cause of spinal cord injury.”
His presentation included a photograph taken in summer
2012 of 11 teenagers in a Shepherd Center therapy gym. All
were paralyzed and in wheelchairs, and all were injured diving.
“Diving is what teenage boys do,” Dr. Murray says. “Each
summer, it’s like an epidemic. We expect to see male teenagers
and young men up to the age of 29 at the hospital, and the
most likely cause of their quadraplegia is diving.”
One patient broke his neck diving into a swimming hole
where he’d been diving for years.
“He made an error in trajectory and hit the side of the hole,”
Metzger says. “People don’t think about hitting the side of
something, but the body is a torpedo. If you hit the side, it
doesn’t matter if the water is 50 feet deep.”
Dr. Murray believes young people should be taught that
diving is “a high-risk activity. We specifically need to teach kids
at a young age not to do it, like wearing a helmet when you
ride a bike. And we need to teach young men not to dive into
waves. Any single wave can change your life forever. We have
a moral obligation to keep these kids from getting hurt. If we
can prevent one kid from being paralyzed for life, it’s worth it.”
The strongest form of prevention, he adds, is seeing
someone who has been injured diving.
“Kids remember the speaker in a wheelchair long after
they remember what they said,” he says. “Kids telling their
story is a more powerful thing than hearing it from a doctor
like me.”
Chase Jones has told his story a few times, and he notes
that until he broke his neck, he’d never had an accident, never
even broken a bone.
“It’s difficult to describe how traumatic and life-changing
this is,” he says. “I trusted my judgment, and it surprises me
to this day that I’m paying this kind of price for that lapse.”
1
2
1. Herndon Murray, M.D., medical director of Shepherd Center’s Spinal Cord Injury
Program talks with Chase Jones during his inpatient stay in August 2012. 2. Dr. Murray
poses for a photo with all of the young men who sustained spinal cord injuries as a
result of diving accidents in summer 2012.
MOVING
FORWARD
SHEPHERD STEP, AN INTENSIVE WALKING
PROGRAM, GIVES HOPE.
BY MATT WINKLEJOHN
PHOTO BY GARY MEEK
Cris Nelson was nearly finished undergoing a physical
exam at his doctor’s office when a nurse drawing his blood
hit a nerve with the needle. He lost consciousness and fell
face-first off the exam table. Cris, 52, fractured his spine
and broke his ring finger and nose.
“It was a terrible day at the doctor,”
says Cris, a husband and father of two
from Covington, Ga., who worked as a
driver for Frito-Lay for 19 years before
his injury.
He spent two months as an inpatient
at Shepherd Center in late 2012 and a
couple of months as an outpatient in
early 2013.
“My arms in the beginning were
paralyzed,” he recalls. “My fingers were
sort of drawn in toward my palms on both
hands, and my legs were paralyzed. In
the beginning, I had no sensation.”
But with a sense of resolve, a positive
attitude and hope, Cris wanted to take on
more therapy to recover as much function
as possible. “I’m about moving on with
my life and not going into depression
mode,” he says. “I guess the biggest
thing is, I really miss my old life. I’ve got
a big place that I love to take care of. I
want to get back to whatever my new
normal is.”
It was about that time that Cris
heard about Shepherd Center’s intensive
walking program called Shepherd
Step. It’s a research-driven program
designed for people with motor
incomplete spinal cord injury, acquired
brain injury and neuromuscular disorders.
Participants must meet certain
admission criteria. The goal is to return
people to their highest possible functional
level of walking.
“When I first went in, I was not walking,
and when I left, I was able to walk with a
walker and able to stand and balance,”
he explains. “I can do a lot that I was not
able to do before.”
Shepherd Step is staffed with therapists
who have undergone specialized training
to deliver walking interventions, including
body-weight supported locomotor training
with either manual or robotic assistance.
The program emphasizes the
benefits of locomotor training, which
clinicians believe can prompt the
nervous system to relearn standing
and stepping through repetitive motion
and stimulation. Potential outcomes
include improved quality of walking;
an increased walking speed, increased
walking endurance and decreased
use of walking assistive devices.
There is no denying that Cris has
come a long way since fracturing his C-5
and-6 vertebrae and injuring his spinal
cord in October 2012. His core strength
and endurance grew while in Shepherd
Step, where his wife Debbie brought
him three times a week.
“I walked with the walkers, and
therapists helped me walk with crutches
that fit on your arms,” Cris recalls. “They
worked with me a lot on balance and
confidence. Now, my arms work really
well. My right hand is open all the way.
I’ve sort of got some of my manhood back.
“I have parallel bars in my garage that
I can walk on without assistance,” he
adds. “I can get in and out of a wheelchair
without a lot of assistance. I get a lot of
my strength from the Lord, and I’ve got
one heck of a caregiver who gets me
moving every day. My wife keeps me
going forward. I’ve come a long way.”
Shepherd Step is funded by most
insurance programs, and includes several
treatments available from physical
therapists and technicians.
“Patients have a variety of injuries,
be it MS, stroke, brain or spinal cord
injury,” says physical therapist Kristen
Casperson, who works in the Shepherd
Step program. “We run two manual
treadmills and a robotics-assisted gait
training device called a Lokomat and
see six or seven patients on each piece
of equipment daily.”
Casperson, who has been a physical
therapist at Shepherd for seven years,
says Step is tailored to fit the needs and
abilities of each patient.
“We also do over-ground walking
training in addition to using the treadmill,”
she explains. “Depending upon each
patient’s individual needs, we can use
bracing or electrical stimulation or
various other assistive devices. Since
the program is tailored to meet each
patient’s end goals, it could mean
anything from walking at home with
a walker, walking with family for exercise,
or walking full-time in the community with
or without assistive devices.”
For detailed information about
criteria for participating in Shepherd
Step or to schedule an evaluation, visit
Shepherd.org/Shepherd-Step or
contact Velma Moore at 404-350-3102.
Shepherd Center Medical Director Donald P. Leslie,
M.D., talks with Josh Roy as he walks on a treadmill
with assistance in Shepherd Step.
P
patient
profile
TURNING TRAGEDY
INTO OPPORTUNITY
BY JOHN CHRISTENSEN
After his mother underwent brain surgery and her
condition unexpectedly worsened, 5-year-old Isaiah Pegues
asked his schoolteacher if his mother was going to die.
Now, nearly three years later, Isaiah’s mom, Yvette Pegues,
of Canton, Ga., is not only alive after completing rehabilitation
at Shepherd Center, but she and her children (Isaiah, now 8,
and Elijah, 6) have also collaborated with her on a children’s
book called “My Mommy Had Brain Surgery and I’m Okay!”
Yvette sustained a brain injury in 2011 related to a rare
congenital defect known as Arnold Chiari malformation. She
was diagnosed after experiencing chronic headaches and
numbness on the right side of her body.
She had hoped surgery would correct the problem and
she would be on her feet in a few weeks. Instead, she got
worse. Yvette continued to lose mobility and became more
dependent on a wheelchair.
“We truly believe that by
understanding that when
I hurt, my family hurts,
we also heal together.”
– YVETTE PEGUES
PHOTOS BY GARY MEEK
Yvette Pegues, of Canton, Ga., and her sons, Elijah and Isaiah,
talk to students at the boys’ school about the book they wrote
together following Yvette’s brain injury.
Violent tremors caused so much tension in her body that
she was unable to straighten her arms and legs. Medication
and physical therapy did little to ease her pain or distress.
“The neurosurgeon was surprised,” she says. “He didn’t expect
me to respond the way I did.”
Rhonda Taubin, M.D., a physician at Shepherd Center
who treated Yvette following her surgery, explains that a Chiari
malformation is a congenital defect at the lower portion of the
back of the brain. Although it can go undetected for decades,
eventually it squeezes the cerebellum – the part of the brain
that coordinates and regulates muscular activity – and
obstructs the spinal fluid that flows from the cranial cavity into
the spinal canal. Symptoms include headaches, choking,
tingling hands, dizziness, difficulty swallowing and balance
problems, Dr. Taubin says.
“She had an unusual medical history,” says Stacy Simmons,
her case manager at Shepherd Pathways, the hospital’s postacute brain injury rehabilitation program in Decatur, Ga. “She
had tremors and shook when she walked, and she couldn’t
do things she wanted to do. And she was very emotional in
the beginning because she was frustrated that before coming
here, she felt she was not being heard.”
Yvette recalls: “The therapists had to innovate and work
so hard. Sometimes, it took three or four of them to bend my
legs just so I could stand up without kicking someone.”
Yvette’s team of therapists at Pathways was often unable to
follow a specific plan because her symptoms were so severe.
Instead, the Pathways team would innovate their skills and
tools to maximize her recovery.
“Those therapists gave me amazing life skills,” Yvette says.
“I learned so much from them. I still cry when I go back and
see them because they’re like family.”
Yvette’s husband, Tharrow, says the Pathways team saved
Yvette’s life.
She is thankful for how the clinical team used its resources
to customize her treatment plan on an ongoing basis. She
learned to use a rolling walker for short distances, but also
wears a belt alarm and relies on a wheelchair. She exercises
regularly and returns to Pathways every few months for checkups.
During her outpatient rehabilitation, friends, neighbors
and fellow church members took turns driving Yvette from her
home in a far north suburb of Atlanta to a halfway point where
she would then catch a Pathways bus. “It took a village to get
me there,” she recalls. Rehabilitation required 12 to 15 hours
a day, five days a week and a cast of supporters that she
continues to thank God for in her prayers.
“During group sessions, I shared my
journey, commitment and motivation with
other patients who were there from all
over the world for treatment,” Yvette says.
“Most of them missed their families.
It helped to discuss our moments
of helplessness, but we didn’t allow
ourselves to become overwhelmed
by hopelessness.”
When sharing her experiences with
her children, Yvette used the storybook
example of how Humpty Dumpty was
put back together again.
“We truly believe that by
understanding that when I hurt, my
family hurts, we also heal together,” Yvette says. “So it wasn’t
a surprise when Isaiah and Elijah asked to help other boys
and girls heal through their natural habit of curiosity, which
may get buried during a crisis.”
The result was a non-fiction, Q&A-style children’s book.
“We realize, first hand, the importance that reinforcing our
home environment is a necessary extension of the total care
treatment plan, and that goal-setting needs to include my
young family,” Yvette says.
She has been empowered by what she learned at Shepherd
Center, she says. Yvette shares her story with others in her
community and teaches a lesson she calls, “disability, sensitivity
and discussion.” Her message is “You Are Able!” She believes
her unexpected “life-degree” has prepared her to work with
children and people with disabilities, whether she ever walks
again or not. To read more about Yvette and the Pegues family,
visit: YourInvisibleDisability.com.
A
alumni
profiles
Shepherd Alums:
Where Are They Now?
BY PHILLIP JORDAN
Nathan Bowser
Kay Izard
ZILLAH, WASH.
ROSWELL, GA.
Nathan Bowser, 25, of Zillah, Wash., is the brother of a
paramedic. He understands the nature of his brother’s work
and has even ridden along on response calls. So in summer
2013, when Nathan found himself trapped in the driver’s side
of his car – pinned by a tree that had fallen on top of the
vehicle in a sudden thunderstorm – he didn’t panic. When
paramedics arrived, he calmly told them he couldn’t move
anything from his chest down.
Nathan soon found out that in addition to shattered ribs
and a broken sternum, he had multiple back fractures, with a
T-3 complete spinal cord injury. “At first, it’s overwhelming,”
he says. “The first time getting out of bed, the first time in a
wheelchair. It’s just a huge shock. But you just have to
decide, ‘OK, I’m going to do this.’”
During his time at Shepherd Center, Nathan spread his
positive attitude to others, volunteering to greet runners and
wheelers during the 2013 Peachtree Road Race. “Looking
back, there’s honestly nowhere else I would have rather
gone. Not just for what I accomplished there, but in how
Shepherd Center prepares you for what’s ahead.”
Today, Nathan continues his physical rehabilitation back
on the West Coast. “I’m gaining a lot of movement back,”
Nathan says. “The therapists here never believe how recent
my injury was and how I’m adjusting and progressing. They
always attribute that to the work and foundation I received at
Shepherd Center.”
Nathan is committed to sharing his story as inspiration for
others who have sustained spinal cord injuries. “I remember
at Shepherd, past patients would come in and talk.
Sometimes, when you’re in this situation, you
feel like others don’t know what it’s
like, but they know! I want to be
that inspiration now for
someone else.”
Since being diagnosed
with multiple sclerosis in
1980, Kay Izard, 61, of
Roswell, Ga., has prided
herself on remaining
independent and has
continued to pursue
passions like gardening.
In fact, in January, Kay was
elected to a second term as
president of the North Fulton
Master Gardeners.
When Kay’s husband of 23 years,
Ken, passed away in September 2012,
Kay grieved the loss. She was also surprised to discover how
dependent she had become on Ken through the years.
“He had started doing so much for me,” Kay says. “After
he passed away, I realized there were things that I needed to
start doing for myself again.” First among them was to get
her driver’s license. “I’d let mine expire because Ken drove us
everywhere.”
So in the spring of 2013, Kay headed to Shepherd Center,
where she has been seeing doctors at the MS Institute since
moving to Atlanta in 2004. “I usually see Dr. (Sherrill) Loring,”
she says. “She’s a great doctor, but she’s also a great
listener. That means a lot for an MS patient.”
Last year, Kay went to Shepherd Center’s Adaptive Driving
Services for a driver’s evaluation and adaptive-driving training.
In June 2013, she earned her driver’s license once again.
“That was very important to me to have that independence
and mobility,” Kay says. Now, she can easily travel to her
parents’ house in Marietta. And, of course, go out for supplies
for her cherished garden.
During the winter, she grew lettuce, spinach, potatoes and
herbs, such as parsley and coriander. “And English peas,”
she says. “I love those. Every year, I write on my calendar,
‘Plant more peas!’ And every year I wish I’d planted more!
“As we gardeners like to say, ‘There’s always next year!’”
Kay Izard and her dog Carlos pose in front
of an elephant ear plant in Kay’s garden.
1
At the start of 2014, Nathan’s dad took all of his sons on a
deep-sea fishing trip as a New Year’s gift. The Bowser men
fished in the Pacific Ocean, off the shore from San Diego.
PHOTO BY CAITLIN WAGENSEIL / NORTHSIDE WOMEN MAGAZINE
2
“When Colton was 6 months old, we had a professional
photographer come take our picture. Colton loves cameras,
so he was good during this. I take photos of him all the time
with my phone, and he just smiles and smiles,” Alexa says.
4
PHOTO BY SARA ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY
Charles Miller
OXFORD, ALA.
Charles Miller, 27, of Oxford, Ala., returned to the classroom
in January 2014, once more teaching science to seventh
graders at Oxford Middle School. It’s a dream that didn’t appear
likely when Charles crashed his motorcycle on July 6, 2012.
He spent five weeks on life support, with an incomplete
T-6 spinal cord injury, broken bones and internal injuries such
as punctured lungs. Eventually, Charles began breathing on
his own again. One of his student’s parents knew about
Shepherd Center and helped get Charles there for rehabilitation.
“I could talk forever about the people who worked with
me at Shepherd Center,” Charles says. “They didn’t just
heal my body, they got my mind right. It really is total
rehabilitation. They keep you motivated, but they also make
you feel comfortable being there. It’s like the people who
work there aren’t at work! They laugh and joke. It’s like being
at their home.”
Along with his wife Shametra, Charles’ students have also
kept him driven, he says. Charles decorated his room at
Shepherd Center with the hundreds of cards he received
from students at his school. “Even last Christmas, I decorated
my tree with lots of those cards,” Charles says. “In hard
times, I still go back and read those. I’m telling you, the love
of a child is unconditional.”
Now, he’s back, finally, for his fifth year of teaching, sharing
the wonders of science with a new class of students. “As
crazy as it sounds, I wouldn’t trade this experience for
anything in the world,” he says. “It taught me what’s important.
It’s brought me closer to my family,
and this community has just
shone through the rough
times. It’s been lifechanging in far different
ways than I first
anticipated.”
3
Alexa Bennett
WOODSTOCK, GA.
Alexa Bennett, 19, of Woodstock, Ga.,
sustained a C-2 spinal cord injury, fractured
pelvis and a traumatic brain injury in an early-morning car
accident on Oct. 5, 2012. What paramedics didn’t realize
when they first reached the scene was that Alexa was also
12 weeks pregnant. Her path to rehabilitation would become
more time-sensitive than most.
“It was incredibly difficult going through everything with
my recovery while being pregnant,” Alexa says. “I didn’t have
much time to prepare for birth and learn to be a mom with all
my rehabilitation. I was just hoping and praying the baby
would be OK.”
After her condition stabilized, Alexa came to Shepherd
Center’s Acquired Brain Injury Program on Oct. 18. For three
weeks, she relearned how to talk, walk, eat and work her way
back toward independence.
At Shepherd Center, Gerald Bilsky, M.D., oversaw Alexa’s
rehabilitation. Today, she sees more of Dr. Bilsky’s wife,
Judith Tolkan, M.D., a pediatrician. Against great odds, on
April 18, Alexa gave birth to a healthy baby named Colton.
“I love being a mom, and I can’t imagine my life without him,”
she says. “Plus, everyone at Shepherd Center jokes that
taking care of a baby is occupational, physical, speech and
recreational therapies all wrapped up in one little package!”
In the summer of 2013, Alexa graduated from Shepherd
Pathways. She then began her first semester back at the
University of North Georgia, studying childhood and special
education. She made the Dean’s List for fall 2013. Alexa and
her mom, Charlotta Bennett, also return regularly to Shepherd
Center to visit with current patients and their families.
“Without Shepherd Center, I wouldn’t be walking or talking
or going back to school or being a mom. None of it,” she says.
“I know that.”
Charles Miller poses with his newest class of science students at Oxford Middle
School during his first week back to teaching in January 2014. “During physical
therapy, what kept my spirits up the most was thinking about my students and
focusing on getting back to the classroom,” he says.
NOTES FROM
scott h. sikes
Shepherd Center Foundation
Executive Director
23
STAFF PROFILE
24 RECREATION THERAPY
25
DONOR PROFILE
26 NASHVILLE UPDATE
27
SAVE-THE-DATE
28 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
30
HONORARIUMS
35
MEMORIALS
As I write my spring note to you, there are piles of snow lining the edges of Manderson
Way, our entrance drive from Peachtree Road to our main campus. We have had two
weather emergency staffing events already in February. In these emergencies, the
staff literally lives here for multiple days, so we are all looking forward to spring.
Spring in Atlanta is beautiful, and a poet would say that spring is a time of new
things. Of course, as a world leader in its fields, Shepherd Center is filled with new things:
new research equipment, new diagnostic equipment, new therapy equipment and more;
but, what may be most important to patients, families and our staff are new friendships.
This issue touches on friendships that developed between patients and families –
both inside and outside the hospital, as well as our generous fundraising volunteers.
As a hospital that was founded and has grown for decades with the help of
thousands of dedicated volunteers, still today we are led by four main volunteer groups
working in concert with the hospital’s senior leadership team. They are: Shepherd
Center Board of Directors, Shepherd Center Foundation Board of Trustees, Shepherd
Center Advisory Board and Shepherd Center Auxiliary Board. Each of these four
groups has other committees of volunteers to assist them, including: the Finance and
Investment Committee, The Legendary Party Committee, Shepherd Center Cup Golf
Tournament Committee, Shepherd Center Society, Junior Committee, Special Projects
Committee, Sunshine Committee, Pecans on Peachtree Committee and more.
Boynton Smith, highlighted in this issue, is a classic example of the people who
have spent decades volunteering, donating and raising funds to help Shepherd Center’s
patients and families. From volunteering with the Junior Committee for our Derby
Day in his 20s to becoming First Vice Chairman of the Shepherd Center Foundation,
Boynton has been a dedicated friend to Shepherd Center. While Boynton is just one
example, imagine that most of our volunteer leadership is composed of many people
with a similar commitment. If you would like to get involved, please contact me at
404-350-7305 or [email protected].
STAFF PROFILE
s
KELLY EDENS, CTRS,
RECREATION THERAPY MANAGER
INTERVIEWED BY SARA BAXTER
Kelly Edens, CTRS, recreation therapy manager, always
wanted to work at Shepherd Center, but never imagined she’d
start her career at the hospital. Over the span of 14 years, she
has worked in various recreation therapy positions before
becoming the program’s manager in 2008.
Q: Shepherd Center has the largest recreation therapy
program compared to other rehabilitation hospitals
of its kind. Why is this aspect of care so important to
Shepherd patients?
A: This aspect of care is so important because it puts all of
the pieces of the puzzle together. Each discipline works
a different piece to assist the patients to become as
independent as possible. While we do contribute to a
patient’s care, I really believe in the value of our community
reintegration program in which patients and families
experience life in a realistic setting. By participating in
“real” situations here, they are not trying it for the first time
at home and thus are better prepared.
Q: Patients meet with recreation therapists while they are
at Shepherd, but also have access to them after they
leave. Explain that process.
A: All inpatients have a primary recreation therapist they see
weekly to discuss issues like accessibility, problem-solving,
assertiveness, their rights under the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) and community reintegration. We
have seven specialists who also work with patients one-onone, as well as in a group setting, to work on functional
leisure skills to achieve their long-term goals. Day Program
(Shepherd Center’s outpatient program) patients continue
with this system. Any community member is welcome to
contact us and get information or hands-on instruction on
any leisure counseling or skill. We have many community
events and trips we offer throughout the year. Anyone with
a disability is able to participate to get a taste of what they
may be interested in pursuing in the future. We have 11
adaptive sports teams that compete and travel all over the
world, which brings many great peer support opportunities,
as well, for patients and community members.
Q: What is the best part of your job?
A: The best part about my job is working with a patient or
community member who sees how much more fulfilling life
can be with their disability, and helping people find a new
passion for something that motivates them to live life! As
a leader of our Adventure Skills Workshop, I get to meet
many people and see participants experience life outside
Recreation therapy manager Kelly Edens, CTRS, works with a patient on a new
technology that helps with balance.
of their wheelchair, which is many times a new beginning
for them. There is so much one can do, and many people
do not know it until it is shown to them. Watching someone
get up on a water ski, shoot a deer, or do something as
simple as playing cards is huge and gives them a smile
you will never forget!
INTERESTING FACTS
EXPERIENCE
Kelly started her career at Shepherd Center in 2000, working
in various recreation therapy positions. She became the
manager of the department in 2008.
COLLEGE
Georgia Southern University (bachelor of science degree)
RANDOM FACTS
• Kelly loves to spend time with her family – daughters
Charlotte and Madelyn and husband Matt Edens, who
also works at Shepherd Center.
• The beach is one of her favorite places to go.
• Mexican food with a margarita is her ideal meal.
• Born in Pittsburgh, Kelly’s family moved around a lot until
she was 13; they moved to Georgia where she has lived
ever since.
Preparation for Independence
Shepherd Center’s recreation therapists do what it takes
to get patients ready to reintegrate.
How do you help a man who can no
longer use his fingers enjoy his favorite
hobby of completing jigsaw puzzles?
Shannon Ali spent two weeks trying
to answer that question.
The recreation therapist at Shepherd
Center finally landed on a solution: She
attached a putty-type adhesive to the
eraser of a pencil, then inserted the pencil
into a universal cuff attached to the
patient’s hand. Moving the cuff with his
hand allowed him to pick up the puzzle
pieces with the pencil eraser, which he
then pushed into the puzzle with his
other hand.
This is just one example of the ingenuity
that Shannon and the other 23 recreation
therapists at Shepherd Center apply to help
patients reintegrate into the community.
Their aim? Give patients the skills needed
for everyday life, including the means to
have fun.
Recreation therapists don’t wait to
work with Shepherd Center patients once
they improve; they meet with them within
one week of their admission. “We find
out what a typical day was like before
they were injured, what they liked to do
and what they want to do going forward,”
Shannon says. “Then we come up with
a plan to work toward their goals.”
Groups of Shepherd Center patients
go on outings to the grocery store,
restaurants, movie theaters, sporting
events and other places to learn how
to maneuver in their “new normal.” The
experiences give them an opportunity
to practice opening doors, paying for
goods and services – even transferring
to a restaurant booth and stowing their
wheelchairs.
“We problem-solve different scenarios,”
says Kelly Edens, CTRS, manager of
Shepherd’s recreation therapy program.
“Once they learn how to do something
at Shepherd, they’re better prepared to
continue doing it on their own at home.”
In addition to teaching community
reintegration activities, seven of Shepherd’s
recreation therapists work in the specialized
areas of aquatics, art, exercise, horticulture,
music and sports, helping patients get
back to what they were doing before
their injury, or discover new interests.
“We look at not what you did, but
why you did it,” Kelly says. “For example,
maybe you played a sport because you
liked that sense of competition. So we
try to find something else that gives you
that same satisfaction.”
Advance preparation is often part of
the process. Shannon recalls a spinal
cord injury patient who had enjoyed
playing rugby. She found a place close
to his home where he could play and
talked to the coach to arrange his
participation. Four years later, the
patient called Shannon to tell her he
was still playing rugby – and thanked
her for pushing him to do it again.
Shepherd Center sponsors 11 sports
teams so that people with physical
disabilities may compete or just participate.
The Center also sponsors several trips
throughout the year for those who enjoy
activities such as scuba diving, skiing
and hunting. And Shepherd’s Adventure
Skills Workshop brings people together
“We find out what a typical day was
like before they were injured, what
they liked to do and what they want
to do going forward.”
— SHANNON ALI, RECREATION
THERAPIST AT SHEPHERD CENTER
for a spring weekend of water and other
outdoor sports each year.
The recreation therapy program is
supported by donor contributions and
is open to patients even after they’ve left
Shepherd, as well as participants in the
community. “We are always a resource,
especially to former patients whose needs
evolve,” Shannon says. “We want people
to be active and welcome them when
they come back for help.”
Shepherd Center patients visit a local movie theater
on a recreation therapy outing.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SHEPHERD CENTER RECREATION THERAPY DEPARTMENT
BY SARA BAXTER
DONOR PROFILE
d
Boynton Smith
Volunteer and donor has been a “familiar face”
at Shepherd Center for nearly 20 years.
BY SARA BAXTER
Boynton Smith says he’ll always remember
watching his first wheelchair basketball game
at Shepherd Center.
“I thought they would be just wheeling up and
down the court, passing the ball to each other,”
he recalls. “Instead, it was this fast-paced game
where the wheelchairs were flying up the court,
and the players were aggressively stealing the ball
and guarding each other. It was impressive.”
Basketball is one of the 11 competitive teams
sponsored by Shepherd Center’s recreation therapy
program, and Boynton Smith has been a steadfast
supporter of the program for nearly 20 years, both
as a volunteer and donor. The game solidified what
Boynton quickly learned through his involvement
with Shepherd: The Center is a place where patients
are shown life beyond their injury and leave with
the skills to assimilate back into the community.
“I think recreation therapy is Shepherd’s ‘secret
sauce,’” he says. “It goes beyond medical care by
showing patients how life goes on and the wonderful
things they can do – maybe just in a different way.”
Boynton, a Texas native and an insurance broker
with McGriff, Seibels & Williams, joined Shepherd
Center’s Junior Committee in 1995. He had just
moved to Atlanta and was looking for a place to
get involved. A friend told him about the committee,
a group of young professionals who come
together to raise money for Shepherd Center’s
recreation therapy program.
“The first time I walked through the doors, I
knew Shepherd was a special place,” Boynton
says. “And after nearly 20 years, I still get that
feeling. It’s amazing to see the impact they have
on their patients.”
While on the Junior Committee, Boynton
volunteered at the 1996 Paralympic Games and
the Wheelchair Division of the Peachtree Road
Race, both of which Shepherd Center has sponsored.
He co-chaired the Junior Committee’s signature
event, Derby Day, in 2002. Even after he rotated off
the committee – where he met his wife Elizabeth –
he has stayed involved. He joined the Shepherd
“I think recreation therapy is Shepherd’s
‘secret sauce.’”
– BOYNTON SMITH
Center Foundation Board of Trustees in 2009 and
now serves as its vice chairman.
“Boynton has been a familiar face at Shepherd
Center for a long time,” says Ansley Martin, a
major and planned gifts officer at Shepherd
Center Foundation. “He is heavily involved and
engaged in whatever the Foundation is doing,
whether it’s attending events or volunteering with
patients. He is truly an asset to Shepherd.”
“I like charities where it is a ‘hand up’ rather than
a ‘hand out,’” he says of his reasons for supporting
Shepherd Center all these years. “Shepherd is all
about hope. They have amazing programs to deliver
hope to patients and their families, and they get
real results. Miracles happen there every day.”
Long-time Shepherd Center
volunteer, donor and trustee
Boynton Smith says he
was inspired to get more
involved at the hospital
after watching a wheelchair
basketball game.
Music Festival Provides Recreational Therapy
for Key West and SHARE Military Initiative
BY MOLLY TURNER
island setting. Singer-songwriters share the
stories behind their hit songs and collaborate with
each other at venues ranging from piers to patios,
bars to boats, with more than 20 free shows and
a raucous street party to cap things off.
The Key West Songwriters Festival
is an unparalleled musical experience.
Funds raised at the event will help provide
therapy to the veterans and service
members served by SHARE.
“Shepherd Center’s SHARE Military
Initiative is honored to be the beneficiary
of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging
Association’s Key West Songwriters Festival
Presented by BMI for the second year in a row,”
says Shauna Collins, development manager
at Shepherd Center. “While having fun listening
to great music, we’re raising awareness and
funds for our music therapy program to help
more service members with PTSD and brain
injury. Music heals.”
Former SHARE client Mark Butler (right) and his wife, Patti, with X Factor winner Tate Stevens. Tate dedicated
his song “Ordinary Angels” to Mark before performing it at the 2013 Key West Songwriters Festival.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SHAUNA COLLINS
The Key West Songwriters Festival (KWSWF) set
for May 7–11, 2014, will benefit Shepherd Center’s
SHARE Military Initiative for the second year in a row.
The festival celebrates its 19th year in 2014,
having grown from a small local event to a major
tourist attraction with 15,000 in attendance and more
than $10,000 raised for SHARE in 2013. Hopes are
high that this year the festival’s popularity will continue
to grow, along with public awareness for SHARE.
SHARE is a comprehensive rehabilitation
program that offers hope and support to veterans
and military personnel who sustained mild traumatic
brain injury and/or PTSD in the recent conflicts in
Iraq and Afghanistan. A limited amount of military
healthcare funds are allocated for these types of
injuries, which are now the most common problem
facing military service personnel returning home
from the battlefield.
Through private donations and fundraisers such
as the KWSWF, SHARE provides an innovative
approach to rehabilitation, with recreational therapy
playing an integral role in the program. Service
men and women receive medical treatment along
with therapy through recreational activities, such
as hunting, fishing, skiing, swimming, scuba diving,
music and art.
In that light, the KWSWF is a perfect fit for SHARE,
and vice versa; Key West is a naval base town with
a patriotic streak, known for its laid-back brand of
recreation and relaxation. Charlie Bauer, founder
of the festival and owner of Smokin’ Tuna Saloon,
believes in the healing power of music. “Music is
my first love, and I believe it makes people happy,”
he says. “When the (singer-songwriters) get into
the harmonies, it really is therapeutic.”
Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI), a
performance rights organization and festival sponsor
since 1997, provides more than 150 songwriters for
the event. This year’s lineup features Texas Americana
icon Robert Earl Keen, Jr., New Orleans blues legend
Anders Osborne and the World Famous Headliners,
a Nashville-based rock-and-roll supergroup led
by award-winning songwriters “Big Al” Anderson,
Shawn Camp and Pat McLaughlin. All artists in
their own right, these musicians have penned hit
songs for such big names as the Allman
Brothers, Tim McGraw, LeAnn Rimes, Jimmy
Buffett and George Strait.
Many of the performers, as well as festivalgoers, return to Key West each year, drawn by the
intimate, interactive acoustic format and informal
SAVE
THE
DATE
NOVEMBER 1, 2014
RITZ-CARLTON,
BUCKHEAD
Save the Date
JULY 16, 2014
SPRING EVENTS
SHEPHERD CENTER FOUNDATION
Mark your 2014 calendar with the following Shepherd Center Foundation meetings and events.
MAY
3
Derby Day
AT CHASTAIN HORSE PARK
Enjoy food, fun and fast horses! An Atlanta
tradition since 1983, Derby Day, planned
by Shepherd Center’s Junior Committee, is
considered by many as a premier highlight
of Atlanta’s spring social calendar.
FOR INFORMATION AND TICKETS,
VISIT DERBYDAY.COM
MAY
7-11
KEY WEST SONGWRITERS
FESTIVAL FOR SHARE
MILITARY INITIATIVE
FOR INFORMATION, VISIT
KEYWESTSONGWRITERSFESTIVAL.COM
PHOTO STREAM
1. Past and current Legendary Party Chairmen and Honorary Chairmen at the 2014 Kickoff Luncheon: Front Row, left to right: Dorothy Mitchell-Leaf, M.D.,
June Weitnauer, Cindy Voyles, Kay Quigley, Vickie Scaljon, Cecilia Wright, Sally Dorsey, Beverly Mitchell, Emory Schwall, and Cyndae Arrendale. Back row,
left to right: Bill Voyles, Lois Puckett, Karen Spiegel, Juli Owens, Karen Bryant, Jayne Lipman, and Valery Voyles. 2. Legendary Party 2014 Chairman Cecilia
Wright and Honorary Chairman Lou Brown Jewell unveil the gala’s theme, Follow the Yellow Brick Road at the Kickoff Luncheon held February 18 at The
Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead. 3. The Shepherd Center Auxiliary hosts bingo for patients and their families. 4. Volunteer Jason Stammers works with a patient in the
Tai Chi study. 5,6. Shepherd Center Society hosts the Big Game Bash on Feb. 2. 7. Peach Corps Pals create care cards for patients during a recent cookout.
1
2
JULY
16
Summer in the City
WINE AND RESTAURANT FESTIVAL
A much-anticipated summertime affair, it is the perfect mix of a beautiful
setting, delicious food, fine wines and drinks. Guests will enjoy drinks made
by the finest mixologists accompanied by scrumptious food, only found at the
best restaurants in the city.
FOR INFORMATION, VISIT SCS-ATL.COM
MAY
14
VOLUNTEER
ORIENTATION
AT SHEPHERD CENTER
JULY
11
9
Learn about the variety of opportunities for volunteers
at this two-hour evening orientation.
FOR INFORMATION, VISIT SHEPHERD.ORG/VOLUNTEER
3
5
JUNE
4
6
7
h
HONORARIUMS
Honorees are listed first in bold print followed by the names of those making gifts in their honor.
This list reflects gifts made to Shepherd Center between Nov. 1, 2013 and Jan. 31, 2014.
Mr. and Mrs. Mel Adler
Wish Happy Holidays to:
Ms. Jenna Brannon
and Mr. Robert Nelson
Mrs. William B. George
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Howard
Mr. William Lellyett
Mr. and Mrs. George Montgomery
Mr. and Mrs. Tony Morris
Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Perlis
Mr. and Mrs. Crawford M. Sites
Christopher C. Akridge’s Recovery
Mr. and Mrs. David McMahon
Linda Alexander Wishes
Happy Holidays to:
Pat Ahlers
Shannon Ali – for mentoring Emily
Krug for Recreational Therapy
Mr. and Mrs. David A. Krug
Patty and Shaler Alias
Ms. Kristen Hansen
Kevin Amilcar – “Congratulations
on the Sunshine Award”
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Carol Anne Cromer Anson
Mr. Kenneth R. Cromer
Ruth D. Anthony
Ms. Tammy S. Clark
Pete Anziano
Mr. Scott J. Keithley
Ms. Helen W. Alston
Mr. and Mrs. Frank M. Bishop
Mr. Drury N. Dyer, Jr.
Mr. William G. Pritchard, Jr.
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr. for his
Dedication to Shepherd Center
Mr. and Mrs. Donnie Rayburn
Mike Arneson
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth V. Arneson
Kevin Arthur
Mr. and Mrs. Philip C. Henry
Mitchell Barnes
Mrs. Iris A. Stewart
Dr. Kent Brown’s Recovery
Dr. and Mrs. Kent Brown
Julia Barrett’s Continued
Recovery
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Barrett
Mr. and Mrs. Walter F. Buce
Tricia and Amy Buce
Ashley Bateman
Colonel and Mrs. George
M. McVeigh, Jr.
David Buckholts
Mr. and Mrs. Harold R. Buckholts
Susan and Harve Bauguess
Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Tucker
Eric Baum
Mr. and Mrs. Eric Baum
Mr. and Mrs. David C. Beauchamp
Wish Happy Holidys to:
Lois Beauchamp
Mrs. Judith Belcher
Wishes Happy Holidays to:
The Vinson Family
Mr. and Mrs. David Bennett
Ms. Pat Ahlers
Marla J. Bennett
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Bennett
Karen L. Bibb’s Birthday
Mr. and Mrs. John S. Bibb, Jr.
Dr. Gerald S. Bilsky
Evangeline Bobrow
Mr. and Mrs. Ted Von Glahn
Donna D. Boldt
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Deeks
Deann Bosiljevac – outstanding
work and service
Anna Gibson Bousarkis
Ms. Jo Carter
Larry Bowie – outstanding
work and service
Mr. and Mrs. George Atkins
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Baldwin
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Campbell
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Grady
Mrs. O. David Kulman
Susannah and Ralph Smith
Dr. and Mrs. Michael York
Shay and Bryce Bowman’s
9th Birthdays
Dr. and Mrs. Brock K. Bowman
Mrs. Stephanie K. Salzinger
Deborah Backus –
Excellent Grant Work
Julie Bright
Mr. and Mrs. David M. Jones
Jody L. Bales’ Recovery
Mr. and Mrs. Jody L. Bales
Margaret Balliet
Mrs. Peggy S. Tingley
Marci L. Bozeman – “Congratulations
on your CFRE designation.”
Clara E. Brown – “my hero!”
Ms. Debra L. Brown
David M. Brown
Colonel Todd Brown
Dylan Brown
Mr. and Mrs. John G. Watson
Eleanor Caldwell
Mr. Keith Caldwell
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Caldwell
Mr. and Mrs. Seth P. Richards
Elaine Carlos
Ms. Anna L. Johnson
Helen and Jimmy Carlos
Angela Carlos
Kari Carlos
Edith Carmichael
Mr. Wesley A. Varda
Charles “Chad” Champion
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Newman
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas N. Chewning
Dede and Jack Houk
Martha Childress
Ms. Jane Sale
Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Sharpe
Millard Choate
Ms. Katie Choate
Renee and Dave Christy’s Marriage
Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin G. Hensley
Steve Clark
Mr. and Mrs. Donald H. Gray, Jr.
Ann W. Clarke
Jeanette M. Clarke
Mike Clarkin
Mr. Patrick Ryan
Coastal Orthopedics
Wish Merry Christmas to:
Michael Spires
Shauna Collins Wishes
Happy Holidays to:
Jana and Eric Albright
Rogers Anderson
Charlie and Moll Anderson
Lori Badgett
Christi and Regis Baeuerle
Charlie Bauer
Michelle and Doyle Bearden
Renee Beausoleil
Deanne and Bethany Blackstone
Scott Borchetta
Gary Borman
Christa Bowdish
Clay Bradley
Garth Brooks
Sarah Brosmer
Brandi and Josie Brown
Tony Brown
Steve and Ree Guyer Buchanan
Sue Buchanan
Steve Buchanan
Dorothy Cain
Sandra and Jimmy Campbell
Debbie Carroll
Nick, Heather and Dylan Carter
Linda and Joe Chambers
Kenny Chesney
Kay Clary
Dianne Clayton
Martin Clayton
Craig Clifft
Cade Collins
John Gary and Jana Collins
Josh and Kylie Collins
Karen Conrad
Mari and Mike Coppin
Paul and Marlyce Corbin
Chaz and Deaver Corzine
Jill Cothron
Mitchell Cox
Wendi Crosby
Gillie Crowder
Grace Cummings
Mike Curb
Virginia Davis
Robert Deaton
Kim Detwiller-Burton
Bob Doyle
Kathy Dozier
Ronnie and Janine Dunn
Kinsey and Chris Evans
Cheri and Steve Farris
Pete Fisher
Larry Fitzgerald
Fletcher Foster
Melinda Scruggs Gales
Sylvia Ganier
Craig Gilliam
Tim Godwin
Nadene Grossman
Courtney Gunn
Darlene Hagg
Rodney Hall
Lisa Harless
Judy Harris
Cindy Hart
Steve Hauser
Clint Higham
John Huie
Tim Hunze
Jennifer and Phil Hutchinson
Andy and Ana Ivey
Scott and Kristi Jackson
Alan Jackson
Doug Johnson
Lisa Johnson
Rhonda and Jeff Jubela
Wynonna Judd
Andrew Kintz
Michele and Brennen Knight
Kenny Loggins
Faith and Mitch Malloy
Susan Marsh
Angela McCormick
Margie McGahey
Irene Medrano
Frank Messana
Tod Minnich
Capucine Monk
Charlie Monk
Steve Moore
Liz Morin
Susan Myers
Jill Napier
Suzanne Norman
Dan Ogren
Quinn O’Sulliven
Vanessa Parker-Davis
Nan Parrish
Kathy Pinsky
Ronna Reeves
Rondal Richardson
Steve and Heather Robinson
John M. Rolfe
Kelly Rowland
Melinda Ryals
Chad Schultz
Lang and Linda Scott
Jim Scoutten
Cathy Sewell
Brian and Kendra Shaffer
Lorraine Short
Gabe Shrum
Janice and Butch Shrum
Lyn Ellen and Jimmy Shrum
Suzzane Skinner
Beth and Paul Slack
Michael W. Smith
Roger and Shirley Sovine
Clarence Spalding
Gianna and Mike Strauss
Valerie Summers
Lisa Sutton
Troy Tomlinson
Nelson Trabue
Cal Turner III
Mike Vaden
Rodney Wall
Storme Warren
John Wiggins
Wendy Oakes Wilhelm
Michael Vaden
Elisa Vazzana
Kirt Webster
Lyndie Wenner
Angela Wheeler
Mike Whelan
Sally Williams
Jody Williams
Erika Wollam-Nichols
Deborah Cooper - “Congratulations
on the Daisy Award.”
Kelly Cosby – Cosby’s Therapy
Animals, Inc.
Dr. and Mrs. James C. Kincaid
Annelle Covell, RN’s Recovery
Case Management Society of
America – Atlanta Chapter
Mr. and Mrs. William E. Cromer
Mr. Kenneth R. Cromer
Ellen Crowe
Ms. Carroll Shipley
Kasey Crute
Bain & Company, Inc.
Robert L. Cunningham
Mr. and Mrs. David R. Kesterton
James A. Curtis
Mr. and Mrs. Blake G. Dexter
Daniel C. Dale – outstanding
work and service
Jackson Daniel and Theresa Daniel
Mr. Hill Daniel
Amy Daniels
Ms. Cherie L. Kunik
Joe Daniels
Mr. and Mrs. Corbitt Woods
Sam Dowlen’s Recovery
Mr. and Mrs. Alex Whatley
Jeffrey E. Garton
Mr. and Mrs. Donald W. Pope
Barbara Daugherty
Ms. Bernice E. Colway
Sharon and Maurice Draluck’s
60th Anniversary
Mr. and Mrs. Marvin H. Draluck
DiAnne Gay
Ms. Sarah Y. Gay
Barbara Daughtery’s Recovery
Mr. and Mrs. John H. Loving
Charles L. Davidson
Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Davidson III
Donna and Chip Davidson
Mr. and Mrs. Pete Bailey
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Boyd
Mr. and Mrs. Dave Culley
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Hawkins
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Hennessey
Mr. and Mrs. Kell Martin
Mr. and Mrs. Grover Maxwell
Mr. and Mrs. Dan Pattillo
Mr. and Mrs. Stan Sands
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Skaliy
The Davis Family –
Leighanne, Richard, Logan,
Andrew, Tricia and Swaim
Mr. and Mrs. John Anderson
Mr. and Mrs. Sonny Culp
Mr. and Mrs. Alan Davis
Dr. and Mrs. Bob Davis
Dr. and Mrs. JT Davis
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Davis
and Family
Mrs. Robin Davis
Mrs. Sally Dillingham
Mr. and Mrs. CT Fitzpatrick
Mr. and Mrs. John Frazer
Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Heitzman
Mr. and Mrs. Courtney Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Bill McDonald
Mr. and Mrs. Fred McGranahan
Mr. and Mrs. Cal Minter
Ms. Carole Minter
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Minter
Mr. and Mrs. Deb Minter
Mr. and Mrs. Eric Skinner
Mr. George Spigener
Mrs. Laura Spigener
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Toomey
Mrs. Robin Wilson
Mr. and Mrs. Jarrett Davis
Mr. Stockton Broome
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Brown
Mr. and Mrs. Allen Builder
Mr. and Mrs. Merrell Calhoun
Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Cook
Mr. and Mrs. Hal Field
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Fry
Mr. and Mrs. William Gow
Mr. and Mrs. Hix Green
Mr. and Mrs. Allen Hardin
Mr. Jim Herndon
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Kemper
Mr. and Mrs. Lawton Nease
Mr. and Mrs. Rowland Radford
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sorenson
Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Taratus
Mr. and Mrs. Richard E. Turner
Mrs. William Waters
Mrs. Thomas Williams
Mac Denbar
The JALS Family Foundation
Mike Dillon
Ms. Mary Garcia
Nicholas Doeffinger
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Doeffinger
Emily F. Driver
Mr. and Mrs. John T. Appleby
Maureen Dunleavy Wishes
Happy Holidays to:
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Dunleavy
Mr. George Dunleavy
Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Dunleavy
Ms. Suzan Dunleavy
and Mr. Tim Berge
Mr. William Dunleavy
Ms. Patti Dunleavy Maher
Ms. Lynne Lysaght
Mr. Martin Lysaght
Deborah Dupree’s Recovery
Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Luders
Patrick Durkin
Ms. Susan L. Crawford
Mr. and Mrs. Lars Edwards
Eric Edwards
Tonya and Travis Ellis
Ms. Glynda S. Thor
Jeremy Evans
McCart Insurance Brokers, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. David C. Felsberg
Carey Felsberg
Noah Felsberg
Ms. Anne W. Geddes
Wishes Merry Christmas to:
Cordelia and Charles Wishart
Ellen Geddes for her Bravery
Ms. Anne W. Geddes
Josh Gess
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander J. Simakas
Martha Gibbs
Mr. Daniel C. Gottwald
Vance A. Gibbs Wishes
Happy Holidays to:
Martha Gibbs
Ken Gilfillan
Mr. Ronald V. Lee
Vanessa Gladman’s and
Terence Williams’ Recovery
Ms. V. Gail Holmes
Dr. Marc S. Goldman
Mrs. Laura G. Grubbs
Mr. and Mrs. Howard T. Green
Mr. and Mrs. Vernon C. Whitman
Barbara and Jerry Greenbaum
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Curiel
Lauren E. Greenfeld – outstanding
work and service
David Fiallos’ Birthday
Mr. and Mrs. James H. Wylie
Mr. and Mrs. George Gunnell
LTC (R) and Mrs. Victor Macias
Mrs. Carolyn Fierer
Nancy P. Godfrey
Robert W. Habas
Ms. Judy Harrison
Maggie Yates Fischer’s Recovery
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Troutman, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Flautt, Jr.
Fred V. Alias
Sandra and David H. Flint
Mr. and Mrs. Don H. Stenhouse
William Fricks
Mr. and Mrs. Mark R. Fricks
Harold Fryer
Robert M. Fryer, DDS
Ms. Beth A. Butler
Dr. and Mrs. Robert M. Fryer
Ann and Jim Gandy
Mr. Andew R. Cuppia
Mr. and Mrs. James C. Cuppia
Mr. and Mrs. Jerome C. Cuppia III
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Cuppia
Mrs. Margaret Naugle
Jere’ V. Garde
Mr. Chris Stuckey
Shannon Garrett
Mr. Keith Hicks
Hayden Hall
Mr. and Mrs. James E. Hall
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Hall III
Mr. and Mr. Michael Balliet
Mr. and Mrs. John C. Hamilton
Cyndae A. Arrendale
Ben Bunyard
Clarice Coats
Mr. and Mrs. Robin Loudermilk
Mr. and Mrs. James H. Hance, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Bishopric
Mr. and Mrs. Howard Bissell
Dr. and Mrs. L. Clayton Harrell
Mr. and Mrs. George Ivey
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Lester
Mr. and Mrs. G. Dantzler Page, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Roggeveen
Max Hardy Wishes Happy
Holidays to his Clients
Caroline G. Hazel
Ms. Evelyn G. Crosby
Ms. Jordan McDaniel
Bryan Hewins’ Recovery
LTC (R) and Mrs. Floyd K. Maertens
Lynn Hilliard
Ms. Andrea M. Chamberlain
Mr. Robert K. Hnat
Jennifer M. Hnat
Bonnie and Carl Holt
Mr. and Mrs. Gary K. Smith
The Late Elizabeth Holt
Sent Holiday Wishes to:
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Benedict
Mr. and Mrs. Dan Carithers
Mr. and Mrs. John Coppedge III
Mr. and Mrs. Ross George
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gutt
Mrs. Fred A Hoyt, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. David G. Hunter II
Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Jones II
Mrs. John McCann
Mrs. Harriett Northcutt
and Mr. John Seiler
Mrs. Frances Hoyt Shropshire
Mr. William T. Smith
Mr. and Mrs. C. Reynolds
Thompson III
Dr. and Mrs. George Voltz, Jr.
Minna Hong
Mr. Scott J. Keithley
Mr. and Mrs. Gene Howard
Jim and Carol Thompson
James W. Howard
Ms. Nancy W. Wellons
Betty Hulse
Ms. Sherry G. Popwell
Porter Hutto
Mr. and Mrs. Larry C. Williams
Dana M. Johnson
Fish & Richardson
John M. Johnston
Mrs. Josephine B. Johnston
Austin Jones
Mr. Hans Jones
Nancy Jones
Mr. Kevin Jones
Joel Kaczorowski
Ms. Elena Kaczorowski
Grady Karlson
Ms. Susan C. Bernard
Rusty Kidd’s Recovery
Ms. Katherine K. Marbut
Jenny and Parker King – on the
birth of Miles Parker King
Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. King
Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. King
Becky and Richard Felker
Mr. and Mrs. William Hatcher
Nathan B. Klein
Mrs. Carol Klein
and Mr. Michael Larter
Ms. Terri R. Klein
and Mr. Daniel I. Gup
Dr. Urszula Klich
Mrs. Deborah M. Krupp
and Mr. Armin Krupp
Sasha Klupchak’s Recovery
Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Black III
Phillipa Kort and Family
Mrs. Barbara Abend
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Antebi
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Assaf and Family
Dr. John Porter and Dr. Lucy Axtel
Mr. Mitchell Barnes
and Mr. Craig Weaver
Dr. Benedict Benigno, Dr. Stephanie
Yapp and office
Dr. Jonathan Berek and Faculty
Mr. and Mrs. Jorge Bergallo
Mr. Arthur Blank and Family
Mr. and Mrs. Ron Brill
Mr. and Mrs. Barry Bruckman
and Family
Mr. and Mrs. John Burke
Ms. Heather Burke
and Mr. Colin McGuire
Ms. Suzy Burke
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Carlin
and Family
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Christopher
Mr. and Mrs. George Cleveland
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Cohen
Mr. and Mrs. Stephan Cohen
Ms. Kathy Cole
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Corr
Dr. and Mrs. Andy Currie
Mr. and Mrs. David Deignan
Mr. and Mrs. Blake Dexter
Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Dexter
and Family
Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Dezelic
Dr. and Mrs. Ivan Diamond
Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Dubovsky
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Firsowicz
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Foell
and Family
Mr. and Mrs. Kurt Fricker
Dr. Richard Friedman
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Frysh
and Family
Drs. Roni and Sidney Funk
Dr. and Mrs. David Garber
Dr. Iqbal Garcha
and Dr. Stephanie Grogan
Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Garmany
Mr. and Mrs. Graydon Garner
Mr. and Mrs. John Gaughen
Mr. and Mrs. Chip Gerry
Mr. and Mrs. Ron Glass
Mr. and Mrs. Greg Glasson
Mrs. Peggy Davis Gold
and Ms. Sally Gold
Mrs. Katherine Hanson and Family
Mr. and Mrs. Armand Harris
and Benjamin
Mr. and Mrs. William Hartman
and Family
Mr. and Mrs. Ken Hawkins
and Family
Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Hilton
and Admiral Travel
Mr. and Mrs. John Hodges
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Hoffman
and Family
Ms. Anne Holdegrafer
Mr. and Mrs. William Holley
Ms. KC Hoppe and
Ms. Kathleen Cook-Hunter
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Inman
Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Janelle
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Joelson
and Family
Mr. and Mrs. David Joss
Mr. and Mrs. Abby Kaplan
Mr. and Mrs. Gerry Katz
Cammie Kaye
Mr. and Mrs. James Kennedy
and Family
Ms. Caroline King and Family
Dr. Alan Kozarsky
Mr. Paul Largay and Largettes
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Lazarus
Ms. Sandy Legath
Dr. and Mrs. Henry Leibowitz
Mr. and Mrs. George Levert
and Family
Mr. and Mrs. Roland Liu
Mr Peter Lloyd
and Mr. Gene Lashley
Dr. and Mrs. Julian Lokey
and Family
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Lyon
Mr. and Mrs. Barclay Macon
and Family
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Maddern
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Manidis
Dr. and Mrs. Basil Margolis
Mr. and Mrs. Don Martinson
Mr. and Mrs. David Massey
Mrs. Susan Mathis and Allene
Mr. and Mrs. Rick Mayo
Ms. Rachel McCaffery
Mr. and Mrs. Julius Robberts
Mr. and Mrs. William Meaney
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Meir
Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Mendel
Mr. and Mrs. William Merritt
and Family
Mr. and Mrs. Lester Miller
Dr. and Mrs. Shapour Mobasser
and Family
Mr. John Moody
and Mr. Hardy Holland
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Moon
Dr. Christine Murphy and Family
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Murphy
Mrs. Linda Ornstein
Ms. Christiane Palpant
Dr. and Mrs. Mundy Papadopoulos
Mrs. Judy Peil
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Pirrung
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Plaut
Dr. and Mrs. Zane Pollard
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Powell
Mr. and Mrs. Art Rollins
Mr. and Mrs. Arnie Rosenberg
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Rose
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Ruane
and Anna Chase
Dr. Paul Sabbatini
Dr. and Mrs. Len Sacks
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Sacks
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sanders
Dr. Marion Schertzer
Dr. and Mrs. Don Sharp
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Shreiber
and Family
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Spiegel
and Family
Mr. and Mrs. Don Sutton and Jackie
Mr. and Mrs. David Thompson
Mr. and Mrs. Leon Udwin
Mr. and Mrs. Jason Van Matre
Mr. and Mrs. James Warren
Mrs. Phoebe Weinberg and Family
Dr. and Mrs. Harvey Weiss
Mr. and Mrs. Dick White
Mr. Jeff Wiles
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Wood
Ms. Tanya Yudelman-Bloch
Mr. and Mrs. David Zacks
Mr. and Mrs. Chris Zanatta
Janet Kraft
Mr. Thomas Kraft
Deborah G. Krotenberg
Dr. and Mrs. Stanley E. Bogaty
James M. Kucera
Mr. and Mrs. James M. Kucera
Kathie Kurtz-LaPlume – “great
letter about great care”
Kyle Kvalheim
Homrich Berg
Lynne LaPierre
Mr. and Mrs. Leslie L. Marek
Carol LaRocca Wishes
Merry Christmas to:
Josh Abston
Joan Hope Latiolais
William Howard Flowers, Jr.
Foundation, Inc.
Bryan Lawrence
Dr. Jan A. Levy
Mrs. Cara Isdell Lee
Wishes Merry Christmas to:
Britt and Hunter Amos
Kim V. Lee
Mr. Guy M. Lee, Jr.
Stacey Leebern
Mr. and Mrs. Donald M. Leebern III
Nancy and Joe Leist
Ms. Sarah Leist
Dr. Donald P. Leslie
Mr. and Mrs. J. Hays Mershon
Mr. William G. Pritchard, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. Mark L. Rosenberg
Mr. and Mrs. Jay Walker
Sara Levis – “great letter about
great care”
Shirley and Roland L’Heureux
Mrs. Cheryl Price
Virginia Lippincott
Mr. and Mrs. Izumi Fujita
Ms. Hanako Koike
Mr. and Mrs. Kenichi Koriyama
Ms. Yoko Kusano
Micko Morisaki
Mrs. Mikako Okamoto
Taiji Sakai
Mr. and Mrs. Jun Ueda
Gavin Littleton
Mr. John E. Beeskow
Mr. Brian Littleton
Lindsay Loflin, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Loflin
Joseph Lopez IV’s Recovery
Ms. Eugenia Quiroga-Lassepas
Dr. and Mrs. Jerome W. Lynn, Jr.
James Curtis
Catherine Kramer
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence P. Klamon
Steve Madden
Mr. and Mrs. Milton H. Jones, Jr.
Tracy Madden
Sandi P. Krontz
Mrs. Linda K. Schuppener
Maj. General Otis G. Mannon
USAFRICOM
Michael D. Marchand
Ms. Barbara Richardson
Daniel G. McPherson
Mr. and Mrs. Keith Moore
Sally D. Nunnally
Mr. and Mrs. William W. Dixon
Jamie Reynolds
Mr. and Mrs. Gentry Strickland
Billi Marcus
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Kalish
Henry Meininger
Ms. Nancy Cain
Sally and McKee Nunnally
Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Shaffer, Jr.
John Paul Richardson
Ms. Susan E. Hadden
Anita Marino
Family Insurance Services, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Marino
Dean Melcher – “great job
in the Foundation”
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Oates
Leigh and Steve Tobias
Gary Roberts
Mr. and Mrs. David W. Kirkland
Ansley D. Martin
Mr. and Mrs. Jay A. Hanson
Mr. James Malcom
Mr. and Mrs. Lester Miller
Mr. and Mrs. A. Frank Murphy
Staman Ogilvie
Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Davidson III
Nancy Z. Miller – “great letter
about great care”
Bobby “Eddie” Ogletree
Mrs. Cortney Scott
Mrs. Jeanne Martin and the
Late A. B. Martin Sent
Wishes for a Merry Christmas to:
Ms. Jenna Brannon
and Mr. Robert Nelson
Mr. and Mrs. James C. Carr
Mrs. William B. George
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Kolar
Mr. William Lellyett
Dr. and Mrs. David C. Lowance
Mr. and Mrs. George Montgomery
Mr. and Mrs. John G. Morris
Mr. and Mrs. Tony Morris
Dr. and Mrs. Mark P. Pentecost
Mr. and Mrs. Crawford M. Sites
Mrs. Charles Woodall
Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Perlis
Mrs. Alex W. Smith
Michael B. May
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Kelley
Darla and Willard McBurney
Mr. and Mrs. Roger Blocks
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Buckmaster
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Cousins
Mr. and Mrs. Dick Cravey
Mrs. Nanette Crowdus
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Cutlip
Dr. and Mrs. Dave Davis
Mrs. Carolyn Ewing
Mr. and Mrs. Hix Green
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Kane
Mrs. Olivia Anne Leon
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Levy
Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Long
Mr. Charlie Loudermilk
Dr. and Mrs. John McColskey
Dr. and Mrs. Foad Nahai
Mr. and Mrs. Mid Parker
Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Richert
Mr. and Mrs. John Simms
Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Tackett
Mr. and Mrs. Woody White
Mr. and Mrs. Barney Wiggins
Mr. and Mrs. Willard B. McBurney
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Richert, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Tackett
Lynn McClure and Bo Farmer
Mr. Larry Raines
Tommie Ann and Patrick
McCormack
Joyce and V.D. Scott Foundation, Inc.
Lt. Col. Warren B. McCormick,
USAF ret.
Mr. and Mrs. Scott H. Sikes
Lisa D. McDonald
James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP
Julie McLean
Ms. Marianna McLean
Mr. and Mrs. John Mobley
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bridges
Mr. and Mrs. Brad Burnette
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Candler
Mr. and Mrs. James Christians
Mr. and Mrs. Clisby Clarke
Ms. Carol Dean Davis
Mr. and Mrs. Willis Dobbs
Mr. and Mrs. John P. Illges III
Mr. Ed Jones
Mr. and Mrs. William Maner
Mr. and Mrs. Berry Mobley
Ms. Martha Ann Mobley
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mobley
Mr. and Ms. C. V. Nalley
Mrs. English Robinson
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Sams
Mr. and Mrs. William Tanner
Mr. Wilbur Warner
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Wood
Michael Moderow
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph R. Moderow
Michael Moore
Mr. and Mrs. G. Michael Lynch
Dr. and Mrs. Martin Moran’s
50th Anniversary
Mrs. Joanne H. Laird
Woody Morgan
Ms. Lauren VanderBroek
Sarah A. Morrison
Ms. Cherie L. Kunik
Duane M. Morrow
Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Crosby
Doyle K. Mote
Mr. and Mrs. Martin M. Pollock
Julie and David Mucher
Mr. and Mrs. Gil C. Mucher
Dr. Herndon Murray
Ms. Barbara Linden
Dr. and Mrs. Jimmy C. Nash
Wish Much Love and a
Very Merry Christmas to:
Robert H. Hogg
Lauren Nieves
Dr. Mark Loveland
Northside Youth Organization’s
Littles Crimson Tide Coaches
Barron Johnson, Chris
Henderson, Edward Dickey
and Jerry Willard
Littles Crimson Tide Team
Kristyn Osterhaus
Mrs. Jacqueline Osterhaus
Paradigm Nurse Case Manager
Ms. Jo Carter
Libby and Gene Pearce
The Late Mrs. Virginia Roe
LeAnn Phillips’ Birthday
Ms. Claudia V. Butler
Jerry Pickens
Mr. Frank L. Pritchard
and Ms. Amy K. Parker
Edward Pinckard’s 86th Birthday
Mr. and Mrs. Mark R. Fricks
Lee Ann Pittman and
Rick Griffeth’s Wedding
Ms. Patti Fratalia
Mrs. Lee Ann Pittman
Tara Robertson
Ms. Mary Diana Robertson
Rodney Rogers’ Recovery
Mr. and Mrs. Rufus T. Dorsey
Morris Rosenthal – Good Health
Mr. and Mrs. Max Diamond
Dr. Kevin Rozas
Byron Rushing
Mr. and Mrs. James S. Rushing
David Rutledge, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth D. Rutledge
Chris Sain
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Bryant
Dwayne Sanders
Mr. and Mrs. Barrett F. Sanders
Jane and Bill Sanders
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Sanders
Christina Scalera
John Merideth
Anne Poes
Ms. Mary A. Hicks
Mr. and Mrs. Bradley D. Schloss
Mr. and Mrs. James D. Schloss
Linda Poland
Ms. Jan S. Cribbs
Mr. and Mrs. William H.
Schneidewind, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. J. B. MacWhinney
Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Schneidewind
Mrs. William Wiedersheim
Christopher Port’s Recovery
Mrs. Sarah F. Brodnax
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Port
Corey C. Potts
Mr. and Mrs. Mickey Hitch
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Kinney
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Maguigan
Ms. Lauren Nassetta
Mr. and Mrs. Rob Necessary
Mr. and Mrs. Andre Bernier
Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. Potts
Amy Powell
Mr. and Mrs. Nelson F. Goetz
Mr. and Mrs. Howard R. Green
James E. Prickett
Mr. and Mrs. Paul H. Anderson, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Callahan
Mr. and Mrs. William Pritchard
Mr. and Mrs. Robert U. Goodman
Mrs. Martha Greene
Toby Regal
Ms. Sharon Regal
Kenneth Remoe-Doherty –
outstanding work and service
Resource Alliance
Andy Weyenberg
Dennis Weyenberg
Cody Reyes
Mr. Ronald R. Reyes
Emory A. Schwall
Dr. Robert Ebeling
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen R. Long
Ms. Anna M. Pincumbe
Mrs. Barbara H. Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Tim M. Vinson III
Servey Massey Fertility Institute
and Dr. Joe B. Massey, Wish
Happy Holidays to their clients
Thomas R. Sessions
Mr. and Mrs. Henry T. Sessions, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Shanor
Wish Mery Christmas to:
L. J. Brewer
Shapiro Capital Management
Wishes Happy Holidays
to their clients
Alana Shepherd
Ms. Lea E. Agnew
Mr. and Mrs. Russell C. Ashmore, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Armando Basarrate
Mr. and Mrs. Frank H. Briggs, Jr.
Mrs. Betty Ann Inman
Mr. and Mrs. David R. Kesterton
Mr. and Mrs. Howard S. Stein
Alana and Harold Shepherd
Ms. Glenda G. Simcox
Anne and John Shepherd’s
70th Wedding Anniversary
Ms. Celia Sapp
Clyde Shepherd III
Ms. Mary B. Bickers
The Late Dana Shepherd
Mrs. Andrea Helfrich
and LTJG Carl E. Helfrich
James H. Shepherd, Jr.
Jamie Shepherd – “Congratulations
on your MBA!”
Shepherd Center Animal-Assisted
Therapy: Bentley and Beth,
Frosty and Rebecca, Galion
and Jen
Ms. Marnite B. Calder
Shepherd Center NSU Staff
2nd Floor
Ms. Charlotte D. Anderson
Shepherd Center Staff
Mr. Charles C. Anderson III
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Beatty
Mr. Richard N. Calandro
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Dunham
Ms. Barbara H. Gunn
Shepherd Center Therapists
Ms. Jaime J. Vehovsky
Shepherd Family
Ms. Barbara H. Gunn
Shepherd Pathways
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth C. Etheridge
Shepherd Plant
Improvement Company
Wishes Happy Holidays
to their clients
Beverly and Jack Shields
Mr. John R. Simmerman
Mark Shuler
Mr. and Mrs. James S. Long
Mr. and Mrs. Bert Shuler
Mary Ann and Dell Sikes
Ms. Merrill Ellis
Elizabeth H. Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Lovic Brooks
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Carter
Mr. and Mrs. Billy Gow
Mr. and Mrs. Julian LeCraw
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Pendergrast
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sorenson
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Towles
Mr. Harold R. Smith
Smith Wallace
David E. Snell
Ms. Gloria A. Johnson
Karen E. Spiegel
Mr. and Mrs. William W. Dixon
Theo St. Francis
Mr. James M. Walters
Kristi Stephens – outstanding
work and service
Wynne Stevenson
Dr. and Mrs. Champ Baker
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Carroll
Mr. and Mrs. Robert David
Mr. and Mrs. Tim Flournoy
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Foley
Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner Garrard
Mr. and Mrs. Tony Link
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Waddell
Mr. and Mrs. Matt Swift
Dr. and Mrs. John Waldrop
Samuel H. Stronach, Jr.
Ms. Molly Norton
Kim H. Stroup
James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP
Sara Beth G. Summers
Ms. Linda S. Finley
Clint A. Sweat
Mr. and Mrs. W. Wayne Sanders
Mr. and Mrs. Philip Sweeny
Ms. Merrill Kelly
Eadie Tant – Trivia Winner
Graddie O. Tucker
Lauren Tucker
James Waldrop Chapter, NSDAR
Gary R. Ulicny
Ms. Cherie L. Kunik
Christine Willis – “Congratulations
on your prize-winning poster”
Tommy Vance
Mr. and Mrs. George W. Darden
Trooper Brad Wilson
Ms. Iris J. Abernathy
US Armed Forces – In honor of all
soldiers who have served
Mr. Eugene P. H. Eckstein
Mr. and Mrs. Lynne R. Hamrick
Faye Wilson
Mr. Daniel Tierney
Wesley A. Varda’s Five-Year
Recovery Mark
Ms. Drew Dotson
Mr. Brian Lemond
Chase Varnadoe
Mr. Andrew J. Crane
Valery Voyles
Mr. and Mrs. Peter A. Richards
Mr. and Mrs. Jay Walker
Cyndae A. Arrendale
Tracy L. Walling – “Excellent
Benefits Brochure”
Jennings E. Watkins
Mr. and Mrs. James G. Gullett
Phillip W. Watters
David Webb
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis J. Webb, Sr.
Jordan Weise
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph B. DiCarlo
Molly Welch
Mr. Gerald Welch
Anne and George Wellington
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh J. Wellington
Mr. and Mrs. William
B. Wellons, Jr.
Gregory and Taz Anderson
Scott H. Sikes – Trivia Winner
Mr. and Mrs. David P. Tapp
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Devine and Family
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Tapp and Elizabeth
Linda Silber
Mrs. Debbie Nelson
Ellison Thomas
Mr. James P. Thomas
Dorothy Whitman’s Birthday
Mr. and Mrs. Scott L. Tucker
Heddi Silon – outstanding
work and service
William Thomas
Ms. Carolyn A. Thomas
Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Whitman
Meg Throckmorton
Ms. Carolyn Augustine
Mr. and Mrs. Vernon C. Whitman
Donna and Howard Green
Dr. Arthur J. Simon
Caden Simpson
Mr. C. R. Richardson
Ryan Skochin
Ms. Jennifer Skochin
Thomas Sloope
Ms. Mary Ann DuBose
Clinton Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas G. Smith
Mrs. Marjory Timothy
and Mr. Bob Bollinger
Jackie Samuels
Cathy N. Totis
Mr. and Mrs. David W. Dorman
Dr. and Mrs. Tony Musarra
Styron Traylor
Mr. Jerry Traylor
Perry Ann Williams –
“great job – outstanding
work and service – good luck”
Julie Shepherd White, MSW
Ms. Carter M. Hoyt
Carrie F. Whitney
Mrs. Rebecca S. Flagler
Kirk Wilder
Mr. and Mrs. David S. Nichols
Hanson Williams
Mr. Christopher C. Carter
Harold Williams
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Meech
Joan D. Woodall – Thank You
Mrs. Caroline W. Fowler
Joan Woodall Wishes
Happy Holidays to:
Mr. and Mrs. Wiley Ansley
Mrs. McCary Ballard
Mrs. Douglas Browing
Mr. and Mrs. George Chase
Mr. and Mrs. Don Dennard
Mrs. Hayes Dever
Mrs. C. W. Dukehart
Mrs. Julian Fowler
Mrs. Gene Gwaltney
Mr. and Mrs. Barrett Howell
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hutchinson
Mrs. Robert Ingram
Mr.* and Mrs. A. B. Martin
Mrs. Thomas Martin
Ms. Lee Moran
Mrs. Edward McDuffie
Mrs. Charles Peterson
Mrs. Morris Shadburn
Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Stockton
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sterling
Mrs. Jean Wente
Dan Yates
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Troutman, Jr.
Lois and Danny Yates
Ms. Wilma Bunch
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Cousins
Dr. and Mrs. David Dubose
Mr. and Mrs. Keith Hicks
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Rob Johnston
Mr. Charles Loudermilk
Mr. and Mrs. Robin Loudermilk
Mr. and Mrs. John Miner
Mr. and Mrs. Louie Pittman
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ripley
Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Shepherd
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Shepherd
Mr. and Mrs. James Shepherd
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Shepherd
Mr. Tommy Shepherd
Mr. and Mrs. Dell Sikes
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Sloan
Ms. Ginny Thompson
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Troutman
Dr. and Mrs. Gary Ulicny
Jeff Yoakum – outstanding
work and service
Charlie Young
Mr. Charles Moberly
MEMORIALS
m
Deceased friends of Shepherd Center are listed first in bold print followed by the names of
those making gifts in their memory. This list reflects gifts made to Shepherd Center between
Nov. 1, 2013 and Jan. 31, 2014.
Lewis G. Abbott
Mr. and Mrs. David Cochran
Mr. Ransome Swords
Ms. Michele W. Tucker
William J. Ainsworth
Mrs. Harriet Robinson
Chad E. Albritton
Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Albritton
Atlanta South 75, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Owen Ballew
C R Meyer
Mr. Roger Fain
Ms. Martha F. Flanagan
Investment Performance Services, LLC.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnny McCarthy
Ms. Sandy Parrett
Ms. Nancy Singleton
Mr. Norman J. Slawsky
Team One Real Estate
Professionals, LLC
Ms. Tessa A. Warren
Calvin R. Allen, Sr.
Mr. Robert H. Hogg III
James D. Anderson
Laura and Karl Michael Anschutz
Mr. and Mrs. Werner Anschutz
Mrs. Holly CothranDrake
and Mr. Landon Drake
Bernice S. Apple
Mrs. Judith Ralston
Arni
Mr. and Mrs. Lars Edwards
Iva J. Ashley
Mrs. Marilyn Ashley
Amy Babbs
Mr. and Mrs. John Madewell
Marvin R. Back
Elinore F. Levine
Rosina H. Bairstow
Dr. and Mrs. Carter Smith, Jr.
Jacqueline Baker
Samuel H. Berkowitz
Mr. and Mrs. Max Diamond
Margaret and Gerald Bernal
Mr. Richard F. Bernal
Rochelle G. Bertolini
Ms. Jody L. Skipworth
Frank E. Blasingame
Mr. and Mrs. Milton D. Jacobson
Sue F. Borders
The Shepherd Center Auxiliary
Gene L. Boyd
Mr. Charles A. Machemehl, Jr.
Mr.and Mrs. Harllee Branch, Jr.
Ms. Elizabeth L. Branch
Margaret Ann Bratton
Mr. Ray R. Bratton
Mr. and Mrs. David Wilder
Eric David Connor
Ms. Catherine Regan
Mr. Joseph M. Rogers
Deedy Cousar
Mr. and Mrs. James M. Caswell, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Harold Shepherd
Mrs. Joan D. Woodall
Bryan Cox
Mr. and Mrs. Terry J. Cox
Charles A. Brethen IV
Zack D. Cravey, Jr.
Mrs. Frank C. Bowen, Jr.
Bobby Bridges
Mr. and Mrs. Werner Anschutz
Alice Crumley
Mr. and Mrs. Bill L. Garrett
Rev. James A. Budd
Robert “Bobby” Cunningham
Joseph E. Bullen
Mr. Jonathan E. Bullen
Gordon C. Bynum, Jr.
Ms. Catherine Fike
L. C. Carlisle
Mr. and Mrs. J. David Penson
Judge Charles Carnes
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey B. Bogart
Dana Carr
Mr. and Mrs. Rick Carr
Martha and Albert Church
Mrs. Martha J. Church
Theresa Poellnitz Clark
Mrs. Frank W. Hulse IV
Mr. David J. Lambrecht
Dr. Donald P. Leslie
Robert B. Coats
Bridgeland Development, LLC
Mr. Richard R. Crosier
Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Darrah
Dr. Donald M. Durrett
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Dye
Mr. and Mrs. John Fischer
Georgia Affordable
Housing Coalition
Mr. and Mrs. Russell T. Gibbs
Ms. Beverly P. Hamilton
Ms. Martha G. Massey
Ms. Karen Lyn Orsini
Mrs. Joan W. Ross
Barb and Andy Scott
Mr. and Mrs. David A. Stockton
Mr. James H. Shepherd, Jr.
Ms. Jane F. Thompson
Albert S. Cohen
Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Saul
Regina and Philip Bongiovanni
Mr. Robert S. Thomas
Edwin Turner Collins
Gordon Dean Booth
Mr. and Mrs. Homer W. Whitman, Jr.
Jason N. Conn
Mrs. Tallulah Conn
Katharine Evans
Ms. May G. Kennedy
Jack Ferguson
Mr. and Mrs. Joel K. Isenberg
Ceil Fineman
Mrs. Sam Arogeti
Theodore M. Forbes
Mrs. Charles M. Moon, Jr.
Ms. Elizabeth N. Smith
Ms. Jane F. Tyson
Edgar Joseph Forio, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. William Lippincott
Paul Fraser
Mr. John D. Saunders
Thelma E. Davis
Mr. and Mrs. Linton Swindell
David Funk
Ms. Donna S. Aranson
Mr. and Mrs. Robert N. Dokson
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Funk
Blondine Dean
Mr. and Mrs. Bill L. Garrett
Peter G. Gantsoudes
Mrs. Lillian Gantsoudes
John M. DeBorde
Dr. and Mrs. David F. Apple, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Brian S. Brown
Mr. and Mrs. Donald C. Chapman, Jr.
Mrs. Reginald Heinitsh
Laurie Gatz
Mr. and Mrs. Terrence M. Tracy
Elaine S. Dent
Dr. and Mrs. Tosaporn Krasaeath
Ruth Reynolds Dobbs
and Henri Talmage Dobbs, Jr.
Mrs. Ellen Parks
Shane Dobes
Hallman Dodd
Mr. and Mrs. Brian S. Brown
Nancy and Jim Dodgson
Mr. & Mrs. Edward B. Morrow, Jr.
Bernice Dornbusch
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. DiLuzio
Charles “Chuck” Dowdy
Mr. and Mrs. Don T. O’Quinn
Tom Duggan –
A very special friend
Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Reynolds
George B. “Dixie” Dunbar
Derek N. Dyer
Richard C. “Dick” Eriksson
Mr. Bruce D. Burton
Georgia
Mr. and Mrs. James Ballengee
Daniel D. Gilmore
American Software, Inc.
Ms. Karen Edwards
Mr. and Mrs. James H. Shepherd, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. John Wyle
John J. Goda, Jr.
American Saddlebred Horse
Association of Georgia
Mr. and Mrs. Larry E. Dye
Ms. Judine B. Kerr
Mr. and Mrs. David F. Kirkpatrick
Mr. P. D. May, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. Jimmy C. Nash
Dr. Billye F. Vickers
Donald C. Grahl, Jr.
Ms. Cynthia Reagan
John W. Grant III
Mr. and Mrs. Jarrett L. Davis III
Mrs. Reginald Heinitsh
Mr. and Mrs. Calhoun M. McDougall
Mr. and Mrs. M. Lamar Oglesby
Jimmy D. Green
Mr. and Mrs. Miles Cunningham
Ms. Brenda J. Hope
Bryan C. Griffin
Mrs. Sally C. Atwell
Nicholas Hardage
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher
R. Hardage
Kurt Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Russell W. Hutchins
Catherine “Cat” May
Ms. Ruth Ann DeFazio
Jared Michael Parker
Ms. Jennifer Verno
Tina M. Johnson
Ms. Cathy A. Bird
Charlie E. Mayfield
Mr. and Mrs. Louie A. Pittman, Jr.
Edwin Jones
Mrs. Vivian Jones
Margaret M. Haverty
Mrs. Catherine T. Porter
Henry J. Jones
Mr. and Mrs. Jay Bredenberg
Brock Built, LLC
Sally McAfee
Mr. and Mrs. John E. Duggan
Mr. and Mrs. Nowland Gwynn
Mr. and Mrs. Harry W. MacDougald
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Thompson, Jr.
Anne P. Patrick
Mr. and Mrs. Hart Armstrong
Mr. and Mrs. Barry Horne
Mrs. Helen Horne
Dr. Rhodes Haverty
Cecil Kimbrough
Plainview Church of Christ
John McCollum
Mr. John E. Stegall
Peggy D. Hayes
Ms. Joanne Hayes
Thomas H. Knight
Mrs. Lorraine A. Knight
Ruth Dobbs McDonald
Ms. Tina Weiner
Robert L. Henning
Mrs. Robert L. Henning
Norman Kramer
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Goodman
Michael D. McGuffey
Mr. and Mrs. Max E. McGuffey
Fred C. Henry
Mr. and Mrs. John Ball
Mr. Ricardo Coronado, Sr.
Ms. Angela L. Robinson
Louise and Fred Lange
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene E. Baethke
Laura G. McKinney
The Scott Hudgens Family
Foundation, Inc.
Willie J. Harris
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Logue, Jr.
CPT Ralph J. Harting
Mr. Alexander Hou
Edward Hicks
Ms. Nettie H. Knox
Colonel John W. Hill
Mrs. Carol D. Hill
Morton S. Hodgson, Jr.
The Hodgson Charitable Trust
SSgt. Theodore Samuel Holder II
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Holder
Russell Holladay
Dr. William Holloway
Robert L. Stewart, M.D.
Elizabeth “Libba” Holt
Mr. and Mrs. David G. Hunter II
Mrs. Frances Hoyt Shropshire
Spann Landscape
Sarah Howard
Ms. Helen Kendrick
Rosemary Huettner
Mrs. Paul H. Nichols
Frank W. “Billy” Hulse IV
Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. Bain
Mr. and Mrs. William F. Denson III
Mr. and Mrs. Everette L. Doffermyre, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. David O. Ellis
William Howard Flowers, Jr.
Foundation, Inc.
Mrs. Andrea Helfrich
and LTJG Carl E. Helfrich
Dr. and Mrs. James C. Kincaid
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher M. Krebs
Mr. and Mrs. Richard B. Payne, Jr.
Ms. Sherry G. Popwell
Lucy Irick
Mr. Thomas W. Irick
Thomas W. Irick III
Mr. Thomas W. Irick
Curtis Johnson
Ms. Danielle Balint
Ms. Donna Ferebee
Mr. and Mrs. James Hutcheson
Ms. Annette Mainland
Ms. Laura G. McCord
Ms. Cherie M. Miller
Ms. Sandra Tovar
Margaret Legard
Ms. Virginia Lippincott
Alfred Leo, Sr.
Mrs. Casmira W. Leo
John “Rick” Leone III
Mr. Kenneth M. Sarkis
Gladys G. Lippincott
Ms. Virginia Lippincott
Mr. Bucky Wetherell
Christina J. Llop
Mr. and Mrs. Warner Blair
Mr. Frank H. DiCristina, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Ray O. Lerer
Ms. Cheryl Mayfield
Miss Leslie B. Morris
Mt. Paran Woods Garden Club
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Oates
Mrs. Deborah K. Schneider
Mr. and Mrs. Alan Silverman
Ms. Karen L. Utterback
Ronit Walker
Mr. and Mrs. Peter C. Ward
Brian A. Lucas
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ashworth
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Curran
Daniel E. Lueder
Ms. Christine Leckrone
Mary V. Lunsford
Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Lunsford III
Pen Lybrook
Ms. Phyllis Brooks
William “Billy” Mallard
Arthur B. L. Martin
Scott Martin
Evans, Scholz, Williams
& Warncke L.L.C.
Mr. Sage L. Gerard
Ms. Pam Rymin
Mr. John A. Snyder
Diane Marx
Mr. and Mrs. David J. Sprott
Dawn McNally
Mr. and Mrs. Randal W. Norris
Dr. James H. Milsap, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene T. Horn
Caroline Quin Mitchell
Mr. and Mrs. Roy D. Mitchell, Jr.
Jimmy Mitchell
Ruth and Roy Mitchell
Frank M. Monger
Mr. Charles A. Johnston
Eugene B. Murphy
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Back
Ralph A. Murphy
Mrs. Ralph A. Murphy
Vincent Myers
Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Somers
Mark J. Nichelson
Mrs. Robert C. Beauchamp
Jack Norris
Mr. John S. Knox, Jr.
Jack E. Olden
Mr. John S. Knox, Jr.
Shirley and Ernest Olsen
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Gose
Adam J. O’Neill
Mr. and Mrs. George W. Christman
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald J. Fedorchak
Mr. and Mrs. Terry R. Gorsage
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Helfrich
Mr. David Isringhausen
Ms. Brenda Jackson
Ms. Mary R. Jacobs
Dr. Shari L. Kaminsky
Mr. and Mrs. Henry H. Lamb, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. Richard O’Neill
Ms. Sarah Patton
Ms. Sharon Shaffner
Bruno Palombini
Mr. and Mrs. Luis Ramos
Lola H. Park
Mr. and Mrs. James A. Laird
Charlotte A. Patronis
Mr. Keith Hicks
Phil W. Payne
Mr. and Mrs. David H. Flint
Pittman Construction Company
Mr. and Mrs. Louie A. Pittman, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel E. Reeves
Charles H. Peterson
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh J. Peterson, Jr.
Bartie and Oscar Plunket, Jr.
Ms. Jane Plunket
James W. Poland
Alameda Marina
Mrs. Myrtle B. Bacon
Ms. Diane W. Bartchy
Mr. and Mrs. Ernest D. Campbell
Ms. Jan S. Cribbs
Mr. and Mrs. Otis Foster
Ms. Deborah M. Fox
Mr. Charles P. Garven
Mr. and Mrs. George Holley
Johnson City/Washington County
Chamber of Commerce
Convention and Visitors Bureau
Mr. and Mrs. Russell O. Mays
Ms. Irma Rockwell
Mr. and Mrs. Tim Treadway
Mr. and Mrs. Foye Webb
Willie Ponders, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Raisin
Beverly Pritchard
Mrs. Jeanelle R. Beskin
Reverend and Mrs. Al Clarke
Mr. and Mrs. William Dahlman
Mr. and Mrs. Jarrett L. Davis III
Mrs. Betty S. Guffin
Mrs. Anne Haltiwanger
Mrs. Robert J. Howard
Mr. and Mrs. David M. Hupp
Donald Peck Leslie, MD
Mr. and Mrs. George Lowery
Mr. Irvin M. Massey, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. William
H. Schneidewind, Jr.
Shepherd Center Volunteer Services
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shulman
Mrs. Mavis Thompson
Mr. and Mrs. Terrence M. Tracy
Mrs. Elizabeth R. Trulock
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis L. Zakas
William Quigley
Ms. Debra S. Quigley
Jean and Langdon Quin
Mikie Rae’s Birthday
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Rae
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond B. Couture, Jr.
Lawrence “Mike” Ragsdale
Mr. and Mr. Robert L. Ragsdale
Ms. Patricia W. Ragsdale
Gary Ravotti
Gasser Chair Company, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. James W. Morrison
Mr. Thomas P. Motosko
1
Ms. Julia Mullally
Ms. Joyce R. Pallante
Mr. Neil L. Pallante
Mr. Daniel J. Pecchio, Jr.
Mr. Frank J. Pollifrone
Mr. and Mrs. Nick Sabula
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey M. Sesplankis
Shepherd Center Recreation
Therapy Department
Mr. and Mrs. Earl N. Van Dyke
Warren P. Sewell
Mr. and Mrs. Donald C. Chapman, Jr.
Norman Reeves
Dr. Timothy C. Meyers, Jr.
William Clyde Shepherd, Jr.
Georgia Forestland Investments, LLC
Harry W. Renz
Mr. and Mrs. David W. Renz
Lewis E. Sikes
Mr. and Mrs. Scott H. Sikes
English Robinson
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Smith
Ronald H. Simpson
Mr. C. R. Richardson
William E. Robinson
Dr. and Mrs. David O. Ellis
Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Quammen
Mr. and Mrs. Keith A. Reichenbach
Mendel Romm, Jr.
Mrs. Sam Arogeti
Mrs. Lindsey Hopkins III
Kathleen Root
Ms. Wilma L. Bunch
Ms. Janice M. Byars
Dr. Kathy and George Dean
Ms. Donna Flinn
Ms. Pauline Hogue
Mr. Darwin E. Johnson
Mr. Dean Melcher
Rogers Bridge Co.
Mr. and Mrs. James H. Shepherd III
Ms. Linda C. St. John
Mr. and Mrs. David P. White
Ruth L. Rosenberg
Dr. and Mrs. Don P. Engelberg
Susan Samuels
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Marino
Dr. Emil S. Sanders
Mr. and Mrs. George Freeman
Ms. Andra Harris-Martin
Mr. and Mrs. Scott D. Hawkins
William J. Schwab, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Gary W. Schwab
Peggy Schwall
Ms. Nancy Welfer
Russell M. Scroggins
Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Allen
Shirley and John Shea
Mr. Scott R. Smith
Thomas C. Shelton
Sam S. Singer III
Mr. and Ms. Brooks Patterson
Mrs. Ann Singer
2
Glenn M. Thompson
Mrs. Lola M. Thompson
Mildred Thurman
Mr. and Mrs. Richard K. Hines
Mrs. Gloria Landreth
Mr. William W. Markert
Mr. and Mrs. Maury W. Riff
Raymond C. Tilley
Ms. Connie M. Davis
Mr. and Mrs. Rich Dennison
Synovus Bank,
Tampa/St. Petersburg
Tom’s Electric Co., Inc.
JT Townsend
The JT Townsend Foundation, Inc.
Gilbert Trego
Mr. and Mrs. Todd G. Trego
Captain Monte Sloan
Mr. and Mrs. James B. Stapleton, Jr.
Page and Doris Ufford
Mr. and Ms. Edward Casey
Betty A. Smith
Bill Vaden
Mr. and Mrs. Harry M. Watson
Mae Snelling
Ms. Sarah B. Krickel
Jonathan Vande Lune
Dot Foods, Inc.
Kurt Soloway
Mr. and Mrs. Marvin H. Draluck
Dora W. Voyles
Mr. and Mrs. William R. Brantley
Douglas A. Spence
Mr. and Mrs. Moses Spence
Jon S. Stewart
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher R. Hardage
Chris Stone
Ms. Patrice S. Simpson
Gloria Stone
Ms. Linda Coatsworth
Col. and Mrs. William H. Stubbs
Ms. Elizabeth L. Branch
Wendy Suzman
Philippa Kort and Family
Helen P. Swan
Mr. and Mrs. David F. Cawley
James F. Tatum / Justice Meeks
Mrs. Linda C. Meeks
Nancy Lynn Gore Taylor
Peggy Tedards
Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Rodgers
Ed Voyles
Mr. and Mrs. William R. Brantley
Edward J. Waits
Edith I. Walker
Elizabeth A. Walz
Mr. Jack V. Walz
Michael C. Waters
Mr. and Mrs. Mario J. DeLaguardia
Dorothy E. Watkins
Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Tangren
Julian Watkins
Mr. and Mrs. Milton Kassel
David Webb
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis J. Webb, Sr.
Rebecca L. Webreck
Mr. Jack Webreck
Patsy Weinman
Ms. Sherry Weinman
and Mr. Michael M. Umansky
James E. Wellington
Mr. and Mrs. George R. Wellington
Charles B. West
Mr. and Mrs. Mark C. West
Betty White
Mr. and Mrs. William J. Baird III
Mr. and Mrs. Frank D. Justice, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. James C. Wall
Belva and Red Williams
Mr. C. D. Williams, Jr.
John B. “Jay” Woodruff
Mr. and Mrs. Andy Farmer
Ms. Betsy Flournoy
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Lindsey
Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds Saunders
Mrs. Katherine W. Williams
Ms. Elizabeth W. Willis
Jay Woodside
Mr. and Mrs. Addison H. Meriwether
Mr. and Mrs. M. H. Woodside, Jr.
Ms. Dede Workman
Doug Worful
Ms. Emily Hitchcock
Dr. and Mrs. Claude Workman, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Alex Yeilding
Shelby Jean Gause Workman
Cerqueda, Morgan & Collins, LLP
Eastland Heights Baptist Church
Mr. and Mrs. Randy Graham
Margaret Shepherd Yates
Mrs. Mynel Yates DuBose
Sandy Yurek
Ms. Jody L. Skipworth
Douglas J. Zottnick
Donald Peck Leslie, M.D.
1. Therapists and patients test new
technology from Tyromotion for Shepherd
Center’s New Technology Committee.
Based on feedback from the committee,
the hospital uses funds given by generous
donors to purchase new therapeutic
equipment.
2. Atlanta Braves minor league players
visited with patients in January.
Non-Proﬁt Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Atlanta, GA
Permit No. 1703
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Paralympic Hopeful
Former patient considering pursuit of sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle marksmanship.
BY MATT WINKELJOHN
It is too early to know what will happen,
but never too soon to dream. So, there
are times when Hannah Locke ponders
not what might have been, but rather
what might be if she wins a gold medal.
The 16-year-old former Shepherd
Center patient is pursuing a new dream
following a spring 2013 automobile
accident in which she sustained a
complete T-4 spinal cord injury that left
her paralyzed from the chest down.
She no longer plays volleyball,
basketball and tennis for Coahulla High
School near north Georgia’s city of Dalton.
Yet she’s back in school and deciding
whether she wants to compete as a
Paralympic athlete in the sport of Nordic
Biathlon in the 2018 Games.
Hannah has participated in a training
session in Breckenridge, Colo., with U.S.
Biathlon Paralympic coach Rob Rosser.
“The sport is a combination of shooting
(rifle marksmanship) and cross-country
skiing,” she explains. “I used to do Alpine
skiing for fun. Shooting is new to me. I sit
in what they call a ‘Sit Ski.’ I have two
poles and I use my arms to push.”
It wasn’t by accident that Hannah’s
interest in the sport piqued.
In fall 2013, Hannah heard a
speech by Atlanta’s Scott Rigsby, the
first double amputee to complete an
Ironman Triathlon, and there, the speaker
recruited her.
Locke traveled to Breckenridge,
Colo., in December 2013 for Nordic
Biathlon training in conjunction with
Disabled Sports USA.
“She is young, tough and motivated,
so the sky is the limit with regard to her
potential,” Rosser says. “Biathlon takes
an athlete who is up for the challenge
and willing to put a lot of time and effort
into it. The most important thing she can
do is get on snow as often as possible.”
“She’s never been depressed or sad,”
says Hannah’s mother, Mandy Locke.
“She’s never asked, ‘Why?’ one time.
She’s always been positive and ready
to go, like, ‘What’s next?’”
Paralympic hopeful Hannah Locke trains on an adaptive “Sit Ski.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF HANNAH LOCKE

FAST FRIENDS - Shepherd Center

Transcription

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