PATIENT
PARENT
Shepherd Center helps
parents with a new
disability find effective
ways to care for kids.
ALSO INSIDE
GOOD VIBRATIONS + FALLING INTO INJURY + A RUNNER’S RECOVERY +
THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF PARENTING WITH A DISABILITY
news.shepherd.org | Winter 2015
Shepherd Center Magazine:
Spinal Column®
Winter 2015
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, MS
Design
Soloflight, Inc.
Contributing Writers
Sara Baxter, Larry Bowie, John Christensen,
Amanda Crowe, Phillip Jordan, Katie Malone,
Michele Cohen Marill, Dean Melcher, Shawn
Reeves, Jane Sanders, Julie Shepard-Lovell,
Scott Sikes
Contributing Photographers
Russ Bryant, Kim Craft, Louie Favorite, Jim
Fitz, Gary Meek, Phil Skinner
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*, Molly Lanier,
Donald Peck Leslie, M.D., Douglas Lindauer,
Sarah Morrison, PT*, Julian B. Mohr, Charles T.
Nunnally III, Sally D. Nunnally, John Rooker,
Clyde Shepherd III, J. Harold Shepherd,
James H. Shepherd III, 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
[email protected], 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: Danielle Rowland, of
Chester, Ga., was diagnosed with multiple
sclerosis in December 2005. In January
2011, doctors at the Andrew C. Carlos MS
Institute at Shepherd Center gave her the
go ahead to get pregnant. She now has two
boys, Rhett, 2, and Ross, born in June 2014.
Photo by Russ Bryant
Dear Friends,
As we lead up to our 40th anniversary this summer, we’re reflecting on the birth
of Shepherd Center and the people that were involved in “parenting” the Center
in the early years.
When we set out to create a spinal cord injury rehabilitation center in Atlanta,
many people we talked with kept telling us to meet with well-known, local orthopedic
surgeon Dr. David Apple. About eight months before opening our doors, we met with
Dr. Apple, and he agreed to come work with us. He was our first employee; he gave
us the medical credibility we needed to open our hospital. Dr. Herndon Murray, now
the medical director of Shepherd Center’s Spinal Cord Injury Program, signed on
to work for us a few months later.
In those first few months, we also recruited orthopedist Dr. Alan McDonald and
Dr. Bruce Green, our first urologist. The first three therapists we hired were Joanie
Pollack Ventresca, who recently retired from Shepherd Center, Cathy Cox Shepherd
and Carol Coogler. Joanie and Carol were our first physical therapists, and Cathy
was our first occupational therapist. The trio called themselves the Dixie Cups.
Rounding out our early team of experts was Lesley Hudson, MA, who is now
the co-project director of the Southeastern Regional SCI Model System at Shepherd
Center. Lesley was our catch-all administrative arm and eventually helped birth
Spinal Column magazine.
This dedicated team parented Shepherd Center from its opening in 1975
through its early years. They guided and created many of the clinical programs
we still provide today.
As Shepherd Center evolved and became more successful, we realized our dream
of returning people to their lives often meant sending them back to their lives to
eventually have children or continue to be parents.
Dr. Green, who was one of the pioneers of fertility post-SCI, was the first physician to
work with our patients in their quest for children. The idea of parenting with a disability,
the focus of this issue’s cover story, was, in part, born from some of Dr. Green’s early work.
Forty years in the making, the development of Shepherd Center has been similar
to parenting a child and seeing it grow and mature. In the early years, no one ever
had any dreams of going beyond spinal cord injury rehabilitation. But in 1992, we
began treating multiple sclerosis in the Andrew C. Carlos MS Institute at Shepherd
Center, and in 1995, we opened our first brain injury program.
As we continue to grow and mature in our areas of expertise, we continue to rely
on our dedicated staff, just like we did in our early years. We are proud of how much
we’ve grown in our first 40 years and look forward to the successes the next 40
will bring.
Warm regards,
James H. Shepherd, Jr.
Chairman of the Board
CONTENTS
Winter 2015 • Shepherd Center
FEATURES
COVER STORY:
6 FROM
PATIENT
TO PARENT
Shepherd Center helps
parents with a new
disability find effective
ways to care for kids.
ALLING
12 FINTO
INJURY
Shepherd Center ramps
up its fall prevention
efforts statewide.
2
4
PHOTO BY GARY MEEK
DEPARTMENTS
COVER STORY, Page 6:
Jennifer Sexton, of Dalzell, S.C., was five weeks
pregnant when she sustained a spinal cord injury
in an ATV accident. At the time she worried how
she would take care of a baby while having an SCI,
but has learned to adapt and thrive.
See news.shepherd.org
for additional online content.
5
14
16
18
30
SHORT
TAKES
RESEARCH
ood Vibrations: Studying
G
the effects of whole-body
vibrations on walking
and spasticity.
CLINICAL STAFF PROFILE
Cheryl Linden, LPC, OT
PATIENT PROFILE
Andrew Powell
ALUMNI
PROFILES
FOUNDATION
FEATURES
HONORARIUMS AND
MEMORIALS
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
2015 that will include historical photos,
memories from some of our first
patients and staffers, and a look ahead
to what’s in store for our next 40 years
on Peachtree Road. In the meantime,
if you’d like to share your story with us,
we’d love to hear from you. You can
email [email protected] or
send mail to: Katie Malone, Public
Relations, 2020 Peachtree Road NW,
Atlanta, GA 30309. Larry Bowie
James Shepherd, James Yancey and Henry H. Smith with
the American Institute of Architects pose with a bulldozer
during a renovation of Shepherd Center in the 1980s.
Upcoming 2015 Recreation Therapy Events and Outings
The Shepherd Center Recreation
Therapy Program encourages all
former patients and their families
to participate in one or all of its
upcoming events for 2015.
>> The annual adaptive ski trip is set
for March 6 to 11 in Park City, Utah.
This year’s trip costs $949 for an adaptive
participant and includes three days
of adaptive skiing, private instruction,
equipment rental, lift tickets and
accommodations. Airfare and airport
transfers are not included in this
package. The trip is open to all skill
levels and abilities, and family and
friends are welcome to participate.
A companion ticket is offered at $634.
Registration is required for the ski trip. For
more information, contact Katie Murphy
at [email protected] or
404-350-7465.
>> Several adaptive hunting and
camping trips will be held throughout
2 • news.shepherd.org
the late winter to early spring for
Shepherd Center inpatients and Day
Program patients. These trips include
deer and turkey hunting. For more
information, contact Chris Ravotti at
[email protected] or
404-350-7790.
>> Shepherd Center’s annual Adventure
Skills Workshop (ASW) is set for May
15 to 17 at Lake Martin in Jackson’s
Gap, Ala. The event includes adaptive
waterskiing, scuba diving, fishing,
canoeing, kayaking, four-wheeling,
swimming, target shooting and wall
climbing. ASW is held at Camp ASCCA,
a wheelchair-accessible facility. The
cost is $200 per person and includes
meals, lodging and instruction. The cost
for a caregiver to attend ASW is $175.
>> In June and again in August,
Recreation Therapy will take a group
to Panama City Beach, Fla., for a
saltwater fishing trip. Dates for these
trips have not yet been set.
>> Recreation Therapy also will take
a group whitewater rafting in Bryson
City, N.C., in July. The exact date for
this trip has not yet been set. For more
information about the saltwater fishing
or whitewater rafting trips, contact Chris
Ravotti at [email protected]
or 404-350-7790. Katie Malone
Shepherd Center’s Recreation Therapy annual adaptive
ski trip is set for March 6 to 11 in Park City, Utah.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SHEPHERD
CENTER RECREATION THERAPY
Shepherd Center is gearing up to
mark a major milestone: our 40-year
anniversary. It was Aug. 18, 1975 when
Shepherd Spinal Center, as it was
known then, opened as a six-bed
unit of a Buckhead hospital. Today,
Shepherd Center – which dropped
“spinal” from its name after expanding
its services to include a brain injury
program – has grown exponentially to
become a world leader in specialized
rehabilitation for people with spinal cord
injury, brain injury, multiple sclerosis
and chronic pain.
To help mark the occasion, Spinal
Column editors are pulling together a
special anniversary edition for Summer
PHOTO COURTESY OF SHEPHERD CENTER ARCHIVES
Shepherd Center Celebrates 40th Anniversary
in 2015
Shepherd Center to Begin Construction in Early 2015
Shepherd Center is slated to begin
construction for its $12.4 million
expansion early this year.
The project will add 13,000 square
feet for an expanded and updated
lab, pharmacy and MRI suite. This
expansion will double the space for
both the lab and pharmacy, making
them more centrally located within
the hospital. The added space in the
lab and pharmacy will allow for better
storage, and new and more efficient
lab equipment, lessening the need
to send tests out for processing. The
MRI suite expansion includes the
purchase of a 3.0 Tesla machine,
which is a new type of MRI technology.
“A new space, new technologies
and new equipment mean better
efficiency and enhanced patient care,”
says James Shepherd, co-founder
and chairman of the Shepherd
Center board.
The “Building on Excellence”
campaign is being fully funded by
donor dollars. Shepherd Center
Foundation anticipates the fundraising
goal to be reached within the year.
Construction on the project is expected
to be complete by the end of 2015.
Read More at Shepherd Center’s Online News Source
Read more about Shepherd Center at news.shepherd.org.
The online news source offers timely, relevant, informative
and entertaining news, features, blogs, graphics, videos
and photos.
Viewers are encouraged to bookmark the page in
their web browser 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, LinkedIn and Instagram.
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 Spinal
Column and videos featuring Shepherd Center staff
members and former patients.
Read more Shepherd Center stories online at news.shepherd.org.
Spinal Column® / Winter 2015 • 3
R
research
Good Vibrations
Shepherd Center studies the effects of whole-body vibration
on walking and spasticity.
Chip Hazelrig
participates
in whole-body
vibration therapy
on a WAVE device
with Shepherd
Center’s Beyond
Therapy lead
exercise specialist
Nick Evans, DPT.
More online at
news.shepherd.org
4 • news.shepherd.org
SIMPLY STANDING ON A SPECIALIZED VIBRATING
platform could promote better mobility. Studies
show whole-body vibration revs up the nervous
system, priming the nerves and muscles for motion.
For people with motor-incomplete spinal cord injury,
that can mean improved walking speed and reduced
muscle spasms, or spasticity.
But how long should you stand on a whole-body
vibration device to get the best results? Typically,
rehabilitation therapists vary the duration, hoping
to find a level that leads to improvement while
minimizing fatigue.
A new five-year study at Shepherd Center’s
Hulse Spinal Cord Injury Lab aims to find a researchbased answer to questions about the best use of
the technique.
“We know that physical training is very effective,
and in many cases more effective than any drug
to improve walking ability,” says Edelle Field-Fote,
PT, Ph.D., director of spinal cord injury research
at Shepherd Center. “Whole-body vibration may
enhance that training. But just as with drug studies, it
is important to determine the proper dose. Too much
or too little vibration could undermine the treatment.”
Whole-body vibration involves a device that
looks like a cross between a large bathroom scale
and an exercise machine. As the platform vibrates
rapidly up and down, the motion activates reflexes
that cause muscles to contract, much as they do
during exercise.
First developed in the space program, the devices
have been used to boost athletic training. Studies show
some benefits for cerebral palsy and stroke patients,
as well as those with spinal cord injury.
The first phase of the five-year Shepherd study,
funded by the National Institutes of Health, is testing
the short-term effects of four different doses of wholebody vibration – high frequency or low frequency at
different durations.
The 38 individuals who participate in Phase 1
also will receive electrical stimulation therapy as
a comparison. Each episode will be followed by
a walking evaluation and test of reflexes, which
is an indication of spasticity.
Phase 2 will look for long-term effects after
10 sessions of whole-body vibration once a day and
twice a day, at the optimal frequency found in Phase 1.
It will measure pain and leg strength, as well as
walking speed and spasticity in 59 individuals with
motor-incomplete spinal cord injury. A post-test two
weeks after the vibration therapy will measure
whether the benefits persist.
The study builds on prior research by Dr. FieldFote that showed whole-body vibration decreased
the level of spinal reflex activity (which is the basis for
spasticity) even with just four rounds of 45 seconds,
each followed by a one-minute rest.
“We feel there’s strong evidence that whole-body
vibration can affect both reflex circuits that underlie
spasticity and the central pattern-generating circuits
that underlie walking,” she says. “So the purpose of
this study is to identify the vibration parameters that
have the largest effects, as well as the characteristics
of subjects who do and do not respond.”
Therapists already use whole-body vibration in
Shepherd Center’s Spinal Cord Injury Day Program
and in the Beyond Therapy® program, the postrehabilitation activity-based wellness program at
Shepherd Center. The treatment makes a big
difference for some clients but has little or no effect
on others, says Nick Evans, lead exercise specialist
in Beyond Therapy®.
“The work [Dr. Field-Fote] is doing is going to be
extremely valuable for us because it’s been a matter
of trial and error to this point,” Evans says.
Study enrollment begins in January 2015. To be
eligible, study participants must be at least one year
past their injury and be able to stand for at least a
minute and take one step with one leg. To complete
a research intake form to be considered for this study,
visit shepherd.org/research/intake-form.
PHOTO BY LOUIE FAVORITE
BY MICHELE COHEN MARILL
P
staff
profile
CHERYL LINDEN, LPC, OT, STAFF COUNSELOR
ON THE SPINAL CORD INJURY ADOLESCENT TEAM
INTERVIEWED BY PHILLIP JORDAN
Cheryl Linden has been part of the Shepherd Center family since 1988. She spent
13 years as an occupational therapist before becoming a staff counselor in 2001.
Linden works as a counselor on the Adolescent Team in Shepherd Center’s Spinal
Cord Injury (SCI) Program and in the SCI Day Program. She also picks up
weekend shifts as an occupational therapist.
INTERESTING FACTS
MASTER’S DEGREES
Western Michigan
University (M.S. in
Occupational Therapy)
Georgia Professional
School of Psychology
(M.A. in Psychology)
UNDERGRADUATE
DEGREE
Manchester College
(B.S. in Social Work)
FUN FACTS
PHOTO BY GARY MEEK
Q:Have you developed a particular approach
over the years that helps you connect with
younger patients?
A:Working with adolescent patients fits my
personality. I’m not a very traditional sit-inan-office-and-talk kind of person. You have
to meet kids where they are. And part of that
is building in social and play time. That’s why
I love our “sleepover” nights. When we have
kids who are getting along really well, we go
out to eat, just do silly stuff in the building at
night, pulling pranks, watching movies in the
gym until everyone falls asleep. It’s fun, but it
also builds camaraderie – not to mention
confidence.
Q:How important is injecting that kind of levity
into the recovery process?
A: I think that’s probably what I’m best known
for here. I used to do more stand-up
comedy when I was younger. I absolutely
use humor every day at Shepherd Center.
It’s hugely important in my role. Timing is
everything, but humor can make a
seemingly difficult situation feel just a little
bit lighter.
Q:What’s a good day for you at Shepherd Center?
A: The improvements are the big thing. And not
just physically. It could be where someone is
mentally. Maybe they’re starting to make plans
for the future. Or maybe someone’s crying
while we’re talking, but it’s because they’ve
finally made a breakthrough in terms of
dealing with their injury. One thing I get asked
often by people on the outside is, “How could
you work at a place like that so long? Isn’t it
depressing?” I tell them, “Quite the opposite!”
Sure, there’s anxiety, sadness, frustration,
anger, and fear of the unknown. But there is
so much hope here, too. And joy!
Q:After 27 years, what keeps you coming back?
A:When I walked through the door the first time,
I knew I wanted to work here. But it was my
first job out of my master’s program, so I was
thinking two or three years! I’ve stayed because
I still love what I’m doing. When I get those
good-news text messages or phone calls
from former patients, it’s the most rewarding
thing you can imagine. So I may not have
planned on 27 years and counting, but I’m
so glad it happened!
Cheryl Linden stands in the doorway of her office, which is decorated with patient photos,
framed T-shirts from Shepherd Center events and ceiling tiles painted by patients.
• Linden is well known
for her office filled
with patients’ photos,
framed T-shirts from
Shepherd Center
events and ceiling
tiles painted in every
shade of pink.
• Less time doing
stand-up comedy
means more time
on the links. “Golf
is my mental health
break now.”
• Linden spends one
day a week working
with the Lifeline Animal
Project, an Atlanta
no-kill animal shelter.
• She has three cats
of her own, including
a rescue kitten who
spent the first two
weeks of his life in
Linden’s Shepherd
Center office.
More online at
news.shepherd.org
Spinal Column® / Winter 2015 • 5
Jeff
Garton
sustained a work-related
traumatic brain injury in June
2013. While Jeff was still an
inpatient at Shepherd Center, his
wife Lauren gave birth to twins,
Grayson and Aubrey, on Sept. 12,
2013. Jeff has made remarkable
progress, but still has limited
mobility and cognitive and speech
impairments. He helps with the
twins in ways he is able,
but one day hopes to be a
full-time, stay-at-home father.
6 • news.shepherd.org
Shepherd Center helps parents with
a new disability find effective
ways to care for kids.
For most women, the early months of a first pregnancy are
a time of great wonder. For Jennifer Sexton, it was a time
of learning to live in a wheelchair.
PHOTO BY RUSS BRYANT
Jennifer was just five weeks pregnant in January 2013 when she and
her husband, Thomas, were out riding all-terrain vehicles near their home
in Dalzell, S.C. Her accident happened in an instant: She took a hill too
fast, lost control of the ATV, and was flung to the ground.
In a matter of seconds, Jennifer went from four-wheeling to lying on her
back, staring at the sky. Her diagnosis: a complete T-12 spinal cord injury.
She was paralyzed from the waist down.
By the end of the month, Jennifer, a staff sergeant at Shaw Air Force Base,
was at Shepherd Center, undergoing rehabilitation therapy and adjusting to
life in a wheelchair. When she returned home to South Carolina, she faced a
new normal – and the second half of her pregnancy.
And she worried: How would she ever take care of a newborn baby
while paralyzed?
“I was so ready and so excited to be a mom,” Jennifer says. “But after
the accident, it turned into worry. I started thinking things like, how would
I nurse the baby from the wheelchair? What if I dropped him? I was afraid
I wouldn’t be able to give him all that he needed.”
Though she never expected it, Jennifer had joined the ranks of parents
who are anxious about caring for children while living with a new disability. For
Shepherd Center patients – whether they sustained a spinal cord injury (SCI)
BY SAR A BA X TER
Spinal Column® / Winter 2015 • 7
Jennifer
Sexton
was five weeks pregnant when
“Our answer is to give patients as much practice and
or an acquired brain injury (ABI) or have multiple sclerosis –
problem-solving experience as possible as they progress,”
adjusting to parenting is part of the treatment regimen.
Long says. “They can even bring their children to Shepherd
Shepherd’s ultimate goal is for patients to resume life with as
much independence as possible, and that includes parenting. Center to gain experience in overcoming new physical
limitations.” Shepherd Center therapists will even help people
“We always want parents to be involved with their children
pick out baby equipment that will work best for the family.
as much as possible, regardless of the level of their injury,”
Ruth Ann DeFazio, OTR/L, an occupational
says Jennifer Long, OTR/L, an inpatient
therapist in Shepherd Center’s ABI Program,
SCI occupational therapist at Shepherd
“I was so ready and so
emphasizes that safety is a top priority. “In
Center. “So we sit down and brainstorm
excited to be a mom,”
the brain injury and stroke population, being
ideas about how they can make it work
Jennifer says. “But after
safe often boils down to two things – cognitive
and be as independent as possible.”
the accident, it turned into abilities and a good support system,” she says.
Whatever the obstacles – physical,
“It also depends on a person’s physical abilities
cognitive or even emotional – Long
worry. I started thinking
in the arms, legs and trunk. In addition, many
says that learning how to parent with
things like, how would I
of our patients who have cognitive challenges
a disability requires planning, practice
nurse the baby from the
often need strategies for structure, organization
and a little ingenuity. For SCI patients,
wheelchair? What if I
and routine.”
a lack of core and upper-body strength
While people with MS and SCI may be able
poses a great challenge for lifting
dropped him? I was afraid
to tackle some parenting duties right away,
children. Similar physical obstacles
I wouldn’t be able to give
those with brain injuries tend to have a slower
confront patients with ABI, stroke
him all that he needed.”
transition period.
and multiple sclerosis, as well. Their
“Many people with brain injuries are
interaction with children may be
not ready to resume parenting when they leave Shepherd
compromised by a lack of balance or strength, even with
Center,” says Tana Hall, M.Ed., LPC, the family counselor
the aid of a walker or cane. Or patients may have to learn
in the ABI program. “They may leave here not fully aware
how to change a diaper with one hand, how to get up or
of their limitations. And many don’t have the ability yet to
down on the floor to bathe or play with a child, or how to
lift their children.”
manage a car seat.
8 • news.shepherd.org
PHOTO BY GARY MEEK
she sustained a spinal cord injury
in an ATV accident. Following her
rehabilitation at Shepherd Center, she
gave birth to her son, Thomas, on
Sept. 10, 2013. She advises other
parents with SCI to enlist the support
of loved ones and ask for help with
making modifications in order
to care for small children.
PHOTO BY RUSS BRYANT
Danielle
Rowland
This was the case with Jeff Garton. In June 2013, Jeff
sustained a traumatic brain injury while standing on farm
equipment on the Savannah, Ga., blueberry farm he
managed. A part of the equipment struck Jeff in the head,
fracturing his skull. After several weeks in intensive care
at Savannah’s Memorial Health University Medical Center,
Jeff was transported by ambulance to Shepherd Center.
His wife, Lauren, was 18 weeks pregnant with twins.
Jeff was still a patient at Shepherd Center on Oct. 12,
2013, when the twins, Grayson and Aubrey, were born
in Savannah. Jeff was able to be there for the birth. He
continued outpatient therapy at Shepherd Pathways,
Shepherd Center’s post-acute rehabilitation program for
people recovering from a brain injury. Though he’s made
remarkable improvement,
Jeff still has limited use
was diagnosed with multiple
sclerosis in 2005 when she was just
25 years old. Doctors at the Andrew
C. Carlos MS Institute at Shepherd
Center gave her the green-light to get
pregnant in January 2011, and she
now has two sons, Rhett, 2, and
Ross born in June 2014. She advises
other parents with MS to take one
day at a time and rely on their
support system for help.
of his left side, as well
as speech problems and
cognitive impairments. Lifting or holding the babies
was deemed unsafe, so he plays with them on the floor.
His hands-on involvement is no accident. Lauren says
that from the beginning, she tried to find ways for her
husband to be an engaged parent. “I would bring the babies
into the kitchen and put them in highchairs so he could feed
them,” she says. “He also washed all the bottles. Now, since
it’s good for him to be on the floor, he plays with them, and
then helps pick up the toys at the end of the day.”
Spinal Column® / Winter 2015 • 9
10 • news.shepherd.org
PHOTOS BY RUSS BRYANT AND GARY MEEK
presence. It’s more in the force of the
“Parents with disabilities are still
“Parents with disabilities
personality and commanding a sense
parents, so we want to make sure that
are still parents, so we
of respect.”
relationship status doesn’t change,”
want
to
make
sure
that
The most important thing is to take one day
DeFazio says. “We work to help the
at a time. That’s the mantra Danielle Rowland,
parents stay actively involved in the
relationship status
34, of Chester, Ga., lives by. Danielle, who
children’s care. That may mean packing
doesn’t change. We work
works full time for the U.S. Postal Service, is a
a school lunch, helping with discipline,
to help the parents stay
mother to two boys – Rhett, 2, and Ross, born
or staying home with a child or children
actively involved in the
in June 2014. She also has multiple sclerosis.
while the other parent works.”
children’s care.”
Just 25 years old when she was diagnosed
Staying home versus going to work
in December 2005, Danielle was told by her
raises the issue of role reversal that
– Ruth Ann DeFazio, OTR/L,
occupational therapist in
doctors at the Andrew C. Carlos MS Institute
confronts families with a parent who has
Shepherd Center’s ABI Program
at Shepherd Center that the condition had to
a new disability. Lauren had planned to
be under control before she could get pregnant.
work part-time after having the twins, but
She got the green light in 2011 when her brain scans showed
Jeff’s accident required her to return to her job as a
no lesions.
pharmacy professor at South University in Savannah full
“I worried about having the energy to take care of a baby,
time. A nanny takes care of the twins during the day and
especially if I had a relapse,” Danielle recalls. “But we take
assists with household tasks.
it one day at a time.” MS causes her to be sensitive to heat,
“I wish I could do more,” says Jeff, who has round-theclock caregivers and is still undergoing therapy near his home. especially in the summer, so she puts on a cooling vest or
sits in the pool so she can spend time with her children.
“My hope is to get strong enough to be a stay-at-home dad
She also has to be vigilant about keeping everyone
and take care of them full time when they are older.”
healthy. “A cold can keep me down for two to three weeks,”
No easy answers exist for dealing with such unexpected
changes in roles. Thus, Shepherd Center experts advise patients Danielle says. “So we do lots of hand washing, I make sure
their shots are up to date and I try to keep them out of
simply to be engaged, to find any way to make a contribution,
situations where they have a chance to get sick.”
even if such ways don’t exactly match original plans.
Likewise, Jennifer Sexton and her husband have come
“A lot of people worry they may lose their power as a
up with some inventive solutions to everyday needs. Baby
parent,” adds Wayne Ware, M.Ed., LPC, a counselor in the
Thomas, who was born Sept. 10, 2013, and is now walking,
SCI Program at Shepherd Center. “The thing that is important
plays safely in a play yard installed by his father in a central
to realize is that most of the power is not in the physical
location. Jennifer can lift him in and out of the crib and the play yard by bracing her arm
on the sides, which are padded with swimming pool noodles. When she showers, Thomas
is safely strapped in a stroller and watching a TV show in her bedroom – and Jennifer frequently
peeks out of the shower to make sure he’s OK.
Like Jeff Garton, Jennifer knows and respects her limitations to make safety a priority. There
are some things she won’t do alone, such as pushing the stroller around the neighborhood,
putting Thomas in his car seat and driving with him in the car. She has a friend come along
for those tasks. When trying something for the first time, such as transitioning from her bed
to the chair, she practices with her husband and makes sure she has mastered it before
doing it alone with the baby.
These young parents have shown they have what it takes to parent with a disability, and they
are ready for the challenges ahead as their children get older. They all agree that aside from
perseverance and ingenuity, a lot of success to parenting with a disability has to do with attitude.
“No matter what the situation, just keep your head held high and never give up,” Jeff says.
“Someone always has it worse than you, so keep on trying and work as hard as you can.”
DON’T shut children out of
the rehabilitation process.
It’s OK to bring children to the
hospital to visit mom or dad.
“Of course, it depends on the
developmental stage of the
child and the recovery stage of
the parent,” says Tana Hall, M.
Ed., LPC, the family counselor
in the Acquired Brain Injury
Program. “But children are
resilient, and with some
preparation, they can get used
to anything. Being in a hospital
is a part of the process – so to
leave them out of the process is
to do them a disservice.”
DO be straightforward with
kids. If they ask questions,
answer them in an ageappropriate way and be honest.
DON’T make children the
caregivers. Hall says they can
help out around the house, but
they should not be pressured
into duty. “Kids still deserve to
be kids, and figuring out that
balance can be hard,” she
says. “Every injury is different,
every situation is different,
every family is different.”
DO find different ways
to spend time with your
children. Harley Smith, who
sustained a C-6 spinal cord
injury after doing a flip off a
trampoline in July 2012, used to
do many outdoor activities with
his three children, including
sprint triathlons. “I had to step
back and figure out different
ways to still do things with
them,” Harley says. “I didn’t
want to get to the point where
I had to apologize for not being
able to participate.” When they
go out in the neighborhood,
he pushes alongside them as
they ride their bikes, and gets
in the pool with them instead of
sitting on the sidelines watching
them. Because he’s no longer
working, he has more time to
visit their schools and have
lunch with them.
DON’T be afraid to ask for
and accept help. Family,
friends, co-workers and even
members of the community can
be great resources for help. If
the roles were reversed, chances
are you would do the same thing.
DO pick your battles. “You
have to decide if it’s a need
or a want,” says Minna Hong,
Shepherd’s peer support
supervisor, who was paralyzed
in a car accident 15 years ago.
Push it if it’s a need. “It was
important for me to participate
in my children’s activities
because it was important to
them, so I fought for it. I asked
people for what I needed, and
most were very willing to help
make it work. If you don’t ask,
they won’t know.”
DON’T overindulge out of
guilt. “It can be a temptation
to treat your kids differently
because of this injury, or go
easy on them because you feel
badly or have limited energy,”
says Wayne K. Ware, M.Ed.,
LPC, counselor in the Shepherd
Center SCI Program.
DO look at it as a gift. “It’s
only negative if you want to look
at it that way,” Hong says. “This
gives children a chance to
experience life a different way
and learn how to make the best
out of a bad situation.”
DO communicate. “As a
family, you really need to talk
about what has happened and
what has changed,” former
patient Harley Smith says. “Talk
about the good and the bad.
I think this helps with the overall
acceptance of the situation.”
DON’T defer parenting to
the able-bodied parent.
“That can make the injured
person more powerless,” Ware
says, “and makes one parent
always the bad guy.”
DO cut yourself some slack.
“There’s a huge loss,
and that has to be
acknowledged. The
most important thing
is to be present with
your kids, be honest
and love them.”
–M
inna Hong, Shepherd’s
peer support supervisor
More online at
news.shepherd.org
Spinal Column® / Winter 2015 • 11
Shepherd Center ramps up its fall
prevention efforts statewide.
IF YOUR HOUSEHOLD IS LIKE MOST, there is probably a ladder in your garage.
That ladder is used to paint the house, clean gutters and second story windows,
and access rooftops. Most people don’t stop to consider the risk involved with
climbing one. Kenny Pope of Flowery Branch, Ga., says he certainly didn’t.
In May of 2008, he and his wife, Teri, returned home from a leisurely afternoon
visiting family when he noticed their satellite dish was broken. Kenny got his
extension ladder and climbed to the roof. A friend helped keep the foot of the
ladder in place. But Kenny didn’t realize the extension lock had not been properly
engaged. While the ladder held his weight for a time, it soon collapsed upon itself.
“I fell 20 feet and landed on my back,” Kenny says. “I knew [while lying on the
ground] that my legs were unplugged.”
Just 37 years old at the time, he sustained a complete spinal cord injury at
the T-8 level and underwent three surgeries. “Thankfully I received immediate
care, and Shepherd Center was consulted from the start,” Kenny says. Now
part of his life’s mission is sharing his story and he says many people report
thinking twice before trying to play a do-it-yourself handyman because of
what happened.
By Amanda Crowe, MA, MPH
12 • news.shepherd.org
PHOTO BY KIM CRAFT
“I was raised by a dad who paid to have housework
done and I have always worked a desk job,” Kenny
explains. “But two years before the fall, I started doing
things around the house – replacing porch lights and
getting up on that very same ladder to paint the window
frames. Looking back, I didn’t have enough experience.”
He may be onto something.
Falls are actually a very common cause of spinal
cord injury – second only to motor vehicle accidents.
In fact, accidental falls account for nearly one in three
spinal cord injuries, and they may be on the rise,
according to the National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research. They are also the leading
cause of traumatic brain injury.
“Most people don’t think a fall can result in spinal
cord or brain injury, but we’ve seen devastating
outcomes, whether it’s a fall from a bike, off a toilet,
on the ice or tripping on a rug,” says Anna Elmers,
M.D., a staff physiatrist who treats brain and spinal
cord injuries at Shepherd Center.
People can fall from any height or surface and at
any age. Often, as people get older, the number of
falls and the severity of the injury due to a fall increases.
But Emma Harrington, MSPS, Ed.M., director of injury
prevention and education services at Shepherd Center
stresses that falls are not an inevitable part of aging,
and most are preventable.
“We have to retrain our culture because older adults
often develop a fear of falling and, as a result, they limit
their activities and social outings,” Harrington says.
“This can lead to depression and physical weakness,
making the risk of falling even greater. It becomes a
vicious cycle.”
Shepherd Center is now
spearheading efforts in
“Do what you
Georgia to raise awareness
can
to minimize
of the risks of falls and
how to prevent them. The
your chances of
initiative kicked off on the
falling and make
first day of fall – designated
your home safe
by the National Council
for everyone.”
on Aging (NCOA) as Fall
– Anna Elmers, M.D., staff
Prevention Awareness Day –
physiatrist at Shepherd Center
with a workshop titled
“Strong Today, Falls Free
Tomorrow.” The free event,
offered in partnership with the Department of Public
Health – Injury Prevention and Atlanta Regional
Commission, drew more than 100 people and included
demonstrations, health checks, screenings, practical
tips for preventing falls, Tai Chi and music therapy.
In addition, Shepherd Center has adopted “A Matter
of Balance,” an eight-session, evidence-based program
created by the National Council on Aging that provides
strategies to reduce the fear of falling and increase
activity levels among older adults. During the class,
participants learn to:
> View falls as controllable
> Set goals for being more active
> Make changes at home to reduce fall risk
> Exercise to increase strength and balance
Harrington says the program will be offered at local senior
centers, and she and experts at Shepherd Center will help train
others to extend the reach to every county in Georgia.
Kenny also urges people to pay attention to the environment.
“Slow down and think through what you are doing and the possible
risks. All it takes is one slip,” he says.
For more information on Shepherd Center’s injury prevention
program, visit shepherd.org/injuryprevention.
Kenny Pope sustained a spinal
cord injury in May 2008 from
falling off a ladder at his home.
Looking back, he says he didn’t
have enough experience doing
maintenance work that involved
climbing. He advises people to
leave those kinds of household
chores to experts.
Tips for Fall Prevention
// Use extreme caution when
climbing on anything – even a
small step stool in the kitchen
or when you hang pictures.
// Make modifications in your home.
Remove any loose rugs or cords,
keep pathways clear, ditch clutter,
use motion-activated night-lights
and keep flashlights handy to help
guide you in the dark. Non-slip
mats and grab bars, if needed, can
help make bathrooms safer.
// Wear suitable shoes. Make sure
they fit well and ideally have
non-skid soles.
// Hire a professional. For outside
jobs like cleaning the gutters or
painting the house, it’s probably
best to leave it to the experts.
// Always wear a helmet. If you ride
bikes, motorcycles, scooters or
horses, protect your head.
// Stay healthy and active. Keep
up with annual eye exams and
physicals, which can alert you and
your doctor to problems that might
make you more prone to falls. Help
maintain muscle tone and core
body strength by staying active.
// Review your medications. Talk with
your health care team about the list
of medications – prescription and
over-the-counter – that you take.
Sometimes certain medications or
combinations of medications can
leave you feeling off balance.
// Accept assistance when you need it.
If you feel unsteady or unsure, ask
for help.
For more information on
Shepherd Center’s injury
prevention program, visit
shepherd.org/injuryprevention.
Spinal Column® / Winter 2015 • 13
P
patient
profile
A RUNNER’S
RECOVERY
Lifelong athlete Andrew Powell
runs again following rehabilitation
for a spinal cord injury.
BY JOHN CHRISTENSEN
More online at
news.shepherd.org
14 • news.shepherd.org
PHOTO BY PHIL SKINNER
L
to hurry to the gym. Andrew was about to take his first steps
LAST JULY 4TH, 41-YEAR-OLD ANDREW POWELL OF
using a walker.
KENNESAW, GA., watched from a wheelchair as more than
The more he improved, the harder Andrew pushed.
50,000 wheelers and runners streamed past Shepherd Center
“There’s a difference between pain and training sore,” he
during Atlanta’s annual Peachtree Road Race.
says. “I know training sore very well, and I wanted that. I wanted
Some runners waved to him, and a few stopped to give
to push and try harder.”
him hugs.
Eventually, even Andrew’s therapists warned him to ease
As general manager of a running shoe and apparel store,
up because he was pushing so hard.
Andrew had sold many of them the shoes and clothes they
By August, he was walking unassisted and jogging short
were wearing. He had also run the Peachtree with them every
distances. He also went back to work, and to thank the running
year, and he was not happy about missing it.
community for its support, he and his employer, Big Peach
“I’m either gonna run this next year, or I’ll be in a wheelchair
Running Company, staged RunAP – a 3-mile run close to the
rolling it,” he told a reporter from a local TV station.
store where he works in Kennesaw.
Three months earlier, Andrew and his brother-in-law, Frank
Andrew overcame his own doubts and ran the whole race.
Guinn, were in New Orleans for the New Orleans Half Iron Man
Katie Murphy, his recreation therapist at Shepherd Center, ran
race. Andrew was an experienced competitor, having completed
more than 30 marathons, 30 ultra marathons ranging from 31.1 with him.
“To see him reach a goal that was so important to him was
to 65 miles, 15 triathlons and two full Iron Man events.
awesome,” Murphy says. “To see him push himself the entire
During an easy training bicycle ride two days before the New
Orleans race, he and Frank were struck by an automobile. Frank time, that was phenomenal.”
Andrew still has numbness in his side, legs and feet, but
was killed, and Andrew sustained broken bones in his hip,
he continues to train.
tailbone and ankle and an incomplete T-12 spinal cord injury.
“I’m working on things I learned at
Multiple surgeries were required to
Shepherd to get my core and upper body
stabilize Andrew’s spine and treat his
stronger,” he says. “I run every other day
fractures and wounds.
“THERE’S A DIFFERENCE
and I’m not as fast or as strong, but in the
When he arrived at Shepherd Center
big scheme of things, it’s great.”
two weeks after the accident, Andrew says:
BETWEEN PAIN AND
In July 2015, he plans to run — not
“I thought I was done. I couldn’t use my left
race in a wheelchair — in the Peachtree
TRAINING SORE.
leg at all, I couldn’t use my right leg much
Road Race. But before that, he’s going to
and I had little feeling in my glutes and
I KNOW TRAINING SORE
New Orleans.
lower back. I knew Shepherd was a good
“I want to go back and do what we
place, but I was struggling with losing Frank
VERY WELL, AND
were supposed to do last year,” Andrew
and trying to figure out what the new normal
I WANTED THAT.
says. “It may not be pretty, but I want to
was. It was really a hard time.”
finish that race for myself and for Frank.”
He also had excruciating nerve pain
I WANTED TO PUSH
that had not been diagnosed.
2
“I’d never seen him cry, and he was
AND TRY HARDER.”
crying every day,” says his wife, Sandra.
“They found the nerve pain right away at
Shepherd. But the first thing I noticed was
that people cared – everybody from the doctors and nurses
to the chaplain and the custodial staff. They all cared. It was
a safe environment. They knew what they were talking about,
they were upfront and honest, and they had a plan.”
Andrew was amazed by his physician, Gerald S. Bilsky, M.D.
“I’d never met a doctor like him before,” he says. “He was very
encouraging. He told me things were going to get better.”
But no one could say how much better.
“I thought, ‘I’ll give up walking if he can just learn to put
his socks on,’” Sandra says.
Andrew and Sandra made a pact.
“It was that if things never got better, if I never got out
of the wheelchair, if I couldn’t do certain things, it would
be OK,” Andrew says. “We would make it work.”
It took hard work and encouragement, but
Andrew Powell sustained a
Andrew did get better.
spinal cord injury in April
“The therapists were amazing,” Andrew says.
2014 when he was hit by a car
while training for a triathlon in
“They had more faith in me than I did at the start.
New Orleans. Just four
But as I saw little changes, like the movement of
months after his injury,
a toe, that motivated me. Every change brought
Andrew returned to work at
Big Peach Running Co. in
me a new level of freedom.”
Kennesaw, Ga. He also ran his
By late June, Andrew was able to put weight
first 3-mile run in an event
on his hip and begin rehabilitation exercises on a
planned by Big Peach
Running Co. called RunAP.
treadmill. One day, a custodian ran to tell Sandra
Spinal Column® / Winter 2015 • 15
A
alumni
profiles
Shepherd Alums:
Where Are They Now?
Joann Dickson, 55, with her
sons Justin and Julian. Joann
was diagnosed with MS in
1994 when she was pregnant
with her younger son.
BY PHILLIP JORDAN
2
Bob Bell
Joann Dickson
ST. CLOUD, MINN.
ATLANTA, GA.
Bob Bell, 44, of St. Cloud, Minn., sustained a C-5 to -6
spinal cord injury in 1989, while roughhousing in his
freshman-year dorm at Minnesota’s Saint John’s University.
Bob spent two and a half months at Shepherd Center during
his rehabilitation.
At home in Pensacola, Fla., Bob had supportive friends
and family by his side. At Shepherd Center, however, Bob
had time alone for the first time since his injury. Following
physical therapy each day, he would wheel himself into a
small garden on campus. “I don’t think I was truly suicidal,”
Bob says. “But I really did make myself consider the
question, ‘Do I want to live my life as a quadriplegic?’”
As his time at Shepherd Center progressed, he saw more
and more reasons to answer “yes.” “They taught me I still
had the freedom to make my own choices,” Bob says. “That
was the most important thing I needed to hear.”
By the time he left Shepherd Center, he had replaced his
initial question with three new ones: “Who do I want to be?
How do I want my family and friends to see me? And what
kind of difference do I want to make with my life?”
In Bob’s new book, “Un Moving Four Ward: Tales and Tips
For Keeping Perspective Despite Life’s Challenges,” he calls
those self-posed challenges, “three questions that saved
and defined a life.” The book, available at bobbellbooks.com,
reveals how he chose to answer those questions.
After Shepherd Center, Bob returned to get his bachelor’s
degree at Saint John’s, then worked in public accounting,
and earned a law degree from the University of Minnesota.
He’s visited 38 countries. He’s worked in Washington, D.C.,
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and as
a securities lawyer on Wall Street. Bob has also served as
a peer counselor, and once took six months
off to volunteer at orphanages in
Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Today, he’s an assistant
professor of accounting and
finance at his alma mater. “It’s
like coming home,” Bob says.
“After everything I’ve done,
I’ve realized this is where
I want to make my difference.”
Joann Dickson, 55, of
Atlanta, Ga., was pregnant
with her second son in
1994 when she was
diagnosed with multiple
sclerosis (MS). At first,
Joann was relieved to
know why she was so tired
all the time and why she
couldn’t keep her balance.
But relief was soon displaced
with fear. Joann didn’t know
anyone with MS. She wondered if
her baby would be OK. Would she?
“What stands out to me most, 20 years later, is
that when I first came to Shepherd Center, I was encouraged
to live my life,” she says. “There are so many resources there,
and people are willing to help. I learned that I hadn’t been
given a death sentence.”
Indeed, Joann’s life has been filled to the brim ever since.
For the past 15 years, she has organized monthly meetings
for the African-Americans with MS Support Group in Atlanta,
a chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She
recruits speakers, welcomes new members and organizes
the group’s events.
“It sounds strange to say, but if it wasn’t for MS, I never
would have met so many people who’ve become lifelong
friends,” Joann says.
She also likely wouldn’t have 20 medals – and counting –
as a contestant in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games.
A veteran of the U.S. Public Health Service, Joann has competed
in the annual Games as a swimmer, bowler, and member of
the track and field team. The events have taken her to cities
across the United States, and now she is preparing for the
2015 Games in Dallas. Much of her training takes place in
the sports and health classes she takes through Shepherd
Center’s MS Wellness Program.
“I never would have even tried these things if I hadn’t gone
through Shepherd Center,” Joann says. “But I’ve become
athletic in my old age! I’ve done more physically in the last
10 years than I ever did before.”
She jokes that now she’s the one asking her sons – Justin,
23, and Julian, 20 – if they can keep up with her. “They’ll
ask me, ‘Well Mom, where are you going today?’ I tell them,
‘Today? Atlanta. Tomorrow? The world!’”
1
16 • news.shepherd.org
Bob Bell, of St. Cloud, Minn., talks about his
new book, “Un Moving Four Ward: Tales and
Tips for Keeping Perspective Despite Life’s
Challenges,” on the MSNBC program
“Morning Joe.”
Andy Fuhrmann, 25, finished his
master’s thesis in fall 2014 and is back
to skiing, biking and skate boarding
following a spinal cord injury
he sustained while snow skiing
in February 2013.
Chris Kelly
4
SNELLVILLE, GA.
Chris Kelly, 33, of Snellville, Ga., has always loved the
outdoors, particularly hunting and fishing. When he became
a father, his favorite outdoor activities shifted to whatever
games his two children wanted to play in the yard.
But this past June, Chris had a stroke. In the days following,
while still in the hospital, he would think frequently about
those lawn games. “You have those questions in your head,”
he says. “Will I ever be able to play catch with my son again?
Will I be able to run around and chase my daughter?”
Arriving at Shepherd Center’s post-acute stroke program
Shepherd Pathways in Decatur, Ga., Chris was greeted with
a completely different perspective. “It was an environment of:
‘Let’s do this, It’s time to get to work,’” he says. “There was
no time to be negative because the Shepherd staff was
willing to push me as far as I would let them.”
When Chris began his rehabilitation in July, he was almost
exclusively in a wheelchair. Twelve weeks later, he could walk
long distances with only a cane. Chris also quickly entered
Shepherd Center’s vocational services program to help him
get back to his job as a computer programmer and software
developer. He worked with a counselor, and six weeks later
Chris started working part-time from home.
“From the front desk to the case managers to the doctors,
my favorite thing about Shepherd Center is that they understand
everyone is different,” he says. “They get to know you as an
individual and come up with specific ways to challenge you.
A lot of people pushed me to come here, and now I know
why. I’d never be this far along, so quickly, without them.”
It helps to have an at-home support team, too. Chris
says his wife Jessie and his kids (Parker, 6, and Catherine, 4)
have become his biggest cheerleaders. “And they’re not
easy on me either,” he says. “My kids will grab my cane
and tell me to come get it. That’s one way to get me walking
without assistance! Some days they’re my own physical
and occupational therapists.”
3
Chris Kelly, of Snellville, Ga.,
works on his balance at Shepherd
Pathways with physical therapist
Kim Polard. Chris, 33, went back
to work just four months after
having a stroke in June 2014.
Andy
Fuhrmann
BURLINGTON, VT.
Andy Fuhrmann, 25,
of Burlington, Vt., was six
months into a master’s degree
program in mechanical engineering when he was in a skiing
accident at Jay Peak in Vermont’s Green Mountains. The
crash caused a compression of Andy’s spinal column,
pinching nerves in his neck and resulting in a C-4 to -5
incomplete spinal cord injury.
“One week later I was at Shepherd Center,” Andy says.
“I was unique because the partial paralysis I experienced
was far worse in my arms than it was in my legs.” In
addition to full-body workouts on the Lokomat® treadmill,
Andy’s therapists designed exercises specifically for his
arms – including an arm cycle that provides electrical
muscle stimulation.
“I’ve been a science nerd my whole life,” Andy says. “I think
my own fascination with my injury was a huge help for my
recovery. I was into learning the why behind what happened.”
He loved visiting Shepherd Center’s Assistive Technology
Center, where he examined different tools and high-tech
devices. “My physical therapists knew what they were doing,”
Andy says. “They were my psychologists and my friends. I
have a lot of respect for them. They get people through some
really hard months, and you leave them just as you’re getting
better. They miss a lot of the fun, rewarding times.”
For example, last summer. Andy joined two friends and
two dogs on a four-month, 18,000-mile “Appreciation of Life”
road trip that took them on a winding path from Vermont to
Alaska and back. “It was a really special experience,” he
says. “We spent a lot of time outside and did a lot of hiking,
which got me even stronger.”
This fall, Andy finished his master’s thesis. He’s biking and
skateboarding. And skiing again, too. Andy’s first time back
on the slopes took place at Jay Peak exactly one year after
his injury, and included an emotional reunion with the ski
patrol team who came to his aid.
“Skiing has always been my outlet,” Andy says. “I was
worried I might not be able to embrace skiing again, but once
I got out there, I felt the same freedom as ever.”
More online at
news.shepherd.org
Spinal Column® / Winter 2015 • 17
NOTES FROM
scott h. sikes
hepherd Center Foundation
S
Executive Director
19HOME IS WHERE
THE HOPE IS
20 STAFF PROFILE
21 DONOR PROFILE
22 LEGENDARY PARTY
26 SHEPHERD CENTER CUP
28 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
30 HONORARIUMS
32 MEMORIALS
18 • news.shepherd.org
AUGUST 2015 MARKS THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF SHEPHERD CENTER’S
FOUNDING. The year 2015 also marks the 25th anniversary of the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA). Both of these institutions have helped improve the
quality of life for people with spinal cord and brain injuries and multiple sclerosis,
along with their families.
This issue of Spinal Column focuses on families. Shepherd Center was founded
by a family who knew the many difficulties facing families and designed the
hospital to support them as much as patients.
You will read in this issue about our Irene and George Woodruff Family
Residence Center and our other family apartment buildings. Yet, you may not
know some of the people who have been behind these successful additions to
our campus. There is an old saying that “success has many parents, and failure
is an orphan.” Our success has many parents, and here are just a few.
Floyd Newton is an Atlanta attorney who is a long-time Shepherd Center donor
and volunteer. He was chairman of the Shepherd Center Foundation during the
fundraising for and construction of the Woodruff Family Residence Center. Bill
Saling of Big Canoe, Ga., is another long-time Shepherd Center donor and volunteer.
Bill is chairman of Shepherd Center’s Advisory Board. With the help of other veterans
like him, Bill founded an organization called Vets Help Vets. Bill and his organization
both paid for and performed the labor to renovate one of our apartment buildings,
Shepherd Place, for our patients and their families. (Humorously, I must add that
most of the Vets Help Vets volunteers were retired male veterans, and their wives
thanked me for getting the men out of their house!)
Employees of The Home Depot Corporation provided materials and performed
the labor to renovate Biscayne Apartments, another of our apartment buildings.
Aaron’s Inc. has provided much of the furniture as gifts or at cost for various
apartments. The Rotary Club of North Atlanta, led by past Shepherd Center
patient and club president Lou Alvarado, built the TV stands/entertainment
centers for the Woodruff Family Residence Center.
Juli Owens, now second vice-chair of the Shepherd Center Foundation and
a former Legendary Party chair – like Cecilia Wright featured in this issue – led a
special, one-year jump-start campaign to raise funds to help operate our family
apartments, knowing we must raise $600,000 annually just for our family housing
and transportation fund. Many donors now earmark their annual contributions for
our family housing fund.
We have about 20 programs that require your donations each year – just like
family housing. We have individual funds for each of these areas, and many donors
earmark their contributions toward these funds. But we have one central fund that
can pay for anything that needs funding, and it is all determined by our dedicated
volunteer Board of Directors. That one central fund is the Shepherd Fund.
So, if you would like to support our work to help patients and their families
from across the country, please make another generous gift to us this year,
and perhaps direct your gift to the family housing fund specifically or more
generally to the Shepherd Fund. For more information on donating, contact
me at [email protected] or 404-350-7305. You can also contribute
online at shepherd.org/charitable-giving.
Home is Where the Hope Is
Shepherd Center housing program accommodates
families, offers stability day and night.
BY SHAWN REEVES
SHEPHERD CENTER’S DELORES ANN AND GOODLOE YANCEY
FAMILY Housing Program offers much more than four walls and a
floor. Its 120 suites and apartments are a resting space for the body
and mind, says housing program manager Victoria Denson, who for
the past five years has coordinated the housing units at three locations –
all complimentary for 30 days to the family members of newly
injured Shepherd Center patients who live at least 60 miles away.
“It’s really an extension of Shepherd Center’s mission to care for
the patient,” Denson says of the program. “The families we serve
are often overwhelmed when we meet them, so if we can help relieve
their worry over where to stay while their family member is a patient
here, then that’s an important part of providing complete care.”
Shepherd Center offers up to 30 days complimentary housing for
patients and families who live at least 60 miles away from the hospital.
One of those families is the Clark family from eastern North
Carolina. Brad and Rachel Clark, along with their seven children
ranging in age at the time of their visit from 1 to 19, occupied
a suite at the Irene and George Woodruff Family Residence Center
during Brad’s rehabilitation following a spinal cord injury he
sustained in a cycling accident.
“If we can help lift some of the pressure families feel in
an already-stressful situation, then we want to do that.”
PHOTO BY LOUIE FAVORITE
– GARY ULICNY, PH.D. SHEPHERD CENTER PRESIDENT AND CEO
“It was a really hard time, and Shepherd Center made it as easy
on us as they could,” Rachel says. “Our apartment was a two-minute
walk from Brad’s room in the hospital, and I can’t tell you how
comforting it was to be so close.
“Shepherd Center’s housing program also means families don’t
have to break the bank on housing,” she adds. “I can’t even imagine
trying to locate housing in the midst of everything else we were
going through. To have that level of support is simply priceless.”
That is precisely the purpose of Shepherd Center housing, says
Shepherd Center President and CEO Gary Ulicny, Ph.D. It removes
the financial and logistical burdens of finding accommodations so
families can more easily transition from an acute-care setting
elsewhere to rehabilitation at Shepherd Center.
“A big part of serving the patient is supporting the patient’s family,”
Dr. Ulicny says. “If we can help lift some of the pressure families feel
in an already-stressful situation, then we want to do that for their
sake and for the sake of our patients. The housing program is one
measure of doing exactly that.”
The value of Shepherd Center’s housing program isn’t lost on
families who benefit from it, Denson says. “Families come here,
they make friendships, they relax and often they want to show their
appreciation in some way,” she says. “Sometimes, they fix things
or help water the plants. They want to contribute something, no
matter how small, as their way of saying ‘thanks.’”
Brad Clark and two of his seven children enjoy some downtime in the Irene
and George Woodruff Family Residence Center, where the family stayed
during Brad’s rehabilitation for a spinal cord injury.
Shepherd Center offers three locations for
family housing:
THE IRENE AND GEORGE WOODRUFF FAMILY
RESIDENCE CENTER
84 accessible suites located on the Shepherd
Center campus. The Irene and George Woodruff
Family Residence Center offers fully equipped
housing units, whose amenities include free WiFi,
a tranquil garden, pool tables, grills, games,
toys and DVDs.
BISCAYNE APARTMENTS
24 studio apartments one-half mile north
of Shepherd Center
SHEPHERD PLACE
12 accessible apartments one-quarter mile
north of Shepherd Center
Shepherd Center’s Delores Ann and Goodloe
Yancey Family Housing program is funded entirely
through donations. For information on making a gift
to support this invaluable program, please visit
shepherd.org/foundation, or call Dean Melcher
at 404-350-7306.
More online at
news.shepherd.org
Spinal Column® / Winter 2015 • 19
p
STAFF PROFILE
VICTORIA DENSON,
SHEPHERD CENTER HOUSING MANAGER
INTERVIEWED BY SHAWN REEVES
For the past five years, Victoria Denson has devoted many of her days to ensuring
comfortable accommodations for the families of Shepherd Center patients, calling
her current role “the best job I’ve ever had.”
FUN FACTS
GARDENING
Denson attributes her love of gardening to her
British husband’s mother and father, who she
says were masterful gardeners, planting and
harvesting a seemingly endless variety of flowers
and vegetables across their English landscape.
She competed and lectured for years at the
Southeastern Flower Show.
TRAVEL
Denson loves to travel and counts Italy and Spain
among her favorite destinations. As a college
student, she attended school in Paris and London.
The most exotic and eye-opening country she
has visited? India.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Denson and her architect husband were part of
the 1980s effort to save Atlanta’s historic Fox
Theatre. She says they occasionally spent the
night there in order to protect the landmark from
after-hours demolition.
Q.What do you enjoy most about coming to work every
day at Shepherd Center, and about overseeing the
housing program, in particular?
A.I love that each day is going to be totally different from
the next. I have a great staff, and they are willing to help
whenever they are asked. They genuinely love interacting
with patients and their families, striving simply to make the
day better for our guests. Meeting each new challenge
and finding a solution to it is very rewarding.
More online at
news.shepherd.org
20 • news.shepherd.org
Q.What is the biggest change or development you’ve seen
in the housing program during your tenure?
A.We see so many new families arrive from all over the world
now. To me, this just affirms Shepherd Center’s reputation
as one of the best! I just had a family come to my office,
and they live in England and have returned for three weeks
of Beyond Therapy®. The mother said her son, after returning
home, had regressed and that there just wasn’t the therapy
in England available for him to improve, so they returned
to Shepherd Center. Everyone wants the very best for their
loved ones, and once they’ve experienced Shepherd Center,
they know they made the right choice.
Q.What do you do when you’re not overseeing Shepherd
Center’s housing program?
A.A rrange flowers. I had a flower-arranging business
with a friend for a number of years. We did weddings
and other events. I’ve been co-chair of the flower guild
at my church for about 14 years and enjoy creating
some of the arrangements and decorations around the
Shepherd Center campus. I also love to cook, and I love
to travel. I’m very active in my church, Cathedral of St.
Philip, and value the way my work at Shepherd Center
ties into that. I believe we all serve in different ways, and
I find a lot of spiritual meaning in serving families through
the housing program.
PHOTO BY GARY MEEK
Q.In what way(s) do you feel Shepherd Center’s housing
program helps fulfill the hospital’s mission?
A.I think our housing program adds another important layer
to Shepherd Center’s commitment to helping patients and
families rebuild their lives under life-changing circumstances.
So many of the new families who arrive are exhausted,
bewildered and overwhelmed. When we open the door to
the apartment where they will be staying, they are overcome
with emotion at the small oasis our housing program
provides. It’s difficult to measure the value that kind of
support brings them.
DONOR PROFILE
d
Cecilia Wright
Legendary Party chair sees volunteering at Shepherd Center as a privilege.
PHOTO BY JIM FITZ
BY JULIE SHEPARD-LOVELL
CECILIA WRIGHT KNOWS HOW TO THROW A PARTY THAT’S
LEGENDARY. In early November, the chair of Shepherd Center’s
Legendary Party welcomed hundreds of Shepherd Center
supporters to an unforgettable evening at the Ritz-Carlton,
Buckhead with the theme “Follow the Yellow Brick Road.”
Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion and the Tin Man
not only participated in the event, but they served as metaphors
for Shepherd Center’s patients’ journey, Wright says.
“Dorothy’s ultimate goal is to go home, and that’s the goal
for Shepherd Center patients, as well,” says Cecilia, who
chose the theme as an allegory for what patients experience.
“Dorothy represents the patients, who face challenges and
blessings along the way home. The Scarecrow, the brain,
symbolizes the talented Shepherd Center staff and the
technology patients need to heal. The Cowardly Lion offers
courage to succeed, while the Tin Man, the heart, represents
the dedicated donors and volunteers who support patients.”
The 2014 Legendary Party benefited more than 20 patient
programs, with a special focus on the Family Housing Program.
At Shepherd Center, patients and their families find a home
away from home.
“What’s really wonderful about family housing is that there
are 120 wheelchair-accessible apartments, where a patient’s
family can stay for 30 days at no charge,” Cecilia says.
Cecilia and her entire family also feel at home on Shepherd
Center’s campus. Her husband, Allen, served on the party’s
fundraising committee and supported her work as chairman.
Cecilia’s daughter and son-in-law, Kristen and John Novay, are
active in Shepherd Center Society; a group of civic-minded
young adults who support the Center. Cecilia and Allen have
also made a generous donation to the Family Housing Program.
“Shepherd Center is one-of-a-kind, with so much focus
on the family, healing and long-term support,” Cecilia says.
“My family and I are receiving so much more than we could
have dreamed to provide.”
Since a friend first introduced Cecilia to Shepherd Center
seven years ago, there’s been no looking back. In the days
before The Legendary Party, the dining room table in her home
served as a party-planning command center.
“You don’t have to go far into Shepherd Center to see hope
and inspiration through the patients,” Cecilia says. “I’m so
impressed with the staff, and how they mentor patients from
the time they arrive until the day they leave.”
“The Host Committee members were very generous with
their time, talents, efforts and ideas,” Cecilia says. “It’s not about
me. It’s not my agenda. I’m just a cog in the wheel, so to speak,
to just help.“
Cecilia serves as a key cog in the wheels of several of Atlanta’s
non-profit organizations. Currently, she’s president of the
Atlanta History Center’s Members’ Guild. For this determined
and dedicated woman, serving the community she loves
comes naturally.
“I grew up in a small town, in Winter Haven, Fla., where there
was one high school and an emphasis on family, church and
community,” she says.
Cecilia says it can be hard to find a sense of community
in a city as diverse as Atlanta, and Shepherd Center is unique
because it offers several ways for people of different ages and
interests to get involved.
“That’s what makes it so wonderful for our entire family,”
Cecilia adds. “We’ve each found our own niche to suit our
skills, and yet, we have a common goal.”
For Cecilia and her family, volunteering is a privilege, one
that comes with many blessings.
“Shepherd Center is a family,” Cecilia says. “I’m blessed
that they have welcomed me into their fold.”
Cecilia Wright with the Tin Man at a special tea
for Legendary Party committee members at the
Irene and George Woodruff Residence Center.
More online at
news.shepherd.org
Spinal Column® / Winter 2015 • 21
Legendary Party Chair Cecilia Wright and
Honorary Chair Ms. Lou Brown Jewell pose
with characters from “The Wizard of Oz”
as part of the 2014 Legendary Party theme.
PHOTO BY NAME
(Right) Shepherd Center physician
Anna Elmers, M.D., far left, and her
husband Mike and Shepherd Center
Medical Director Donald P. Leslie, M.D.,
far right, and his wife Betty.
22 • news.shepherd.org
Legendary Party Guests
Follow The Yellow Brick Road
to a Night of Elegant Fun
PHOTO BY NAME
BY DEAN MELCHER | PHOTOS BY JIM FITZ
THE MOMENT GUESTS ENTERED THE RITZ-CARLTON, BUCKHEAD LOBBY,
THEY KNEW THEY WERE IN FOR AN AMAZING EVENING. Greeting them in
the lobby was a rough-hewn fence, tumble weeds and the “Gale Family” mailbox –
harkening to a familiar Depression-era farm. Just past that vignette, the Gale house,
beaten and battered from a twister, sat atop the outstretched legs of the Wicked Witch
of the East. From here, a winding yellow brick road meandered through a poppy field
before taking guests to the ballroom, which featured a towering and impressive Emerald
City of Oz. Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion welcomed guests
to Munchkinland and posed for pictures.
After enjoying a cocktail hour featuring drinks called “Ruby Red Sippers” and “Old
Fashioned Twister,” guests were summoned to the ballroom, where The Great and
Powerful Oz and Dorothy and her friends reenacted their famous scene in the Emerald
City of Oz. Shepherd Center Chairman James Shepherd welcomed Legendary Party
Sponsors, Patrons and their guests, and thanked everyone for their support. Shepherd
Center Society member Kristen Wright Novay introduced her mother, Legendary Party
Chair Cecilia Wright, who welcomed the guests, thanked her committee, Sponsors and
Patrons, and recognized honorary Chair Lou Brown Jewell for her many years of support.
Philanthropist Jenny Pruitt offered a moving invocation.
Ritz-Carlton Executive Chef Frank Steigerwald created a visual and flavorful masterpiece
of a meal for guests to enjoy. The meal played on the vibrancy of the Technicolor used
in “The Wizard of Oz.” Chef Frank expertly incorporated elements of the movie into
delights like a colorful golden-roasted beet salad, yellow-brick-road-shaped potatoes
and an emerald mint cremeux on chocolate cake.
After a delicious meal, guests danced until 2 a.m. to Celebrity All Stars and were
joined by members of Shepherd’s Junior Committee and Shepherd Center Society for
Legendary Late Night. In all, more than 550 revelers enjoyed a fun and elegant party
to raise funds and awareness for Shepherd Center’s patient family housing and other
patient care programs.
For information about The Legendary Party, please visit TheLegendaryParty.com,
which features photo galleries of the event, or contact Brittany Mullins at
[email protected] or call 404-350-7302.
Spinal Column® / Winter 2015 • 23
1
2014 Legendary Party Committee
2
Chairman - Cecilia Wright
Honorary Chairman - Lou Brown Jewell
Chairman-Elect - Cindy and Bill Fowler and Julie and Bo Heiner
Carol Abreu
Christine Aleem
Elizabeth and Carl Allen
Gayle and Jimmy Alston
Terri and John Alston
Ruth and Tom Anthony
Jane and David Apple, M.D.
Cyndae Arrendale
Evis Babo
Patty Bedford
Jill Berry
Arline Browder
Karen Bryant
Elaine and John Carlos
Eula Carlos
Beth Cary
Aimee Chubb
Janet and John Costello
Kate Allen Cotterman
Melinda Dabbiere
Suzanne Mott Dansby
Claudia Davenport
Susan Dawkins
Jane Dean
Patti Dickey
Faye and John Donaldson
Sally Dorsey
Eileen DuBose
Cheryl Espy
Angi and Michael Evert
Heather Flint
Wendy and Ed Foulke
Patty Fryer
Dr. Sandra Fryhofer and
George Fryhofer
Lisa Fuller
24 • news.shepherd.org
Angie Garde
Drs. Dina and John Giesler
Carol Goodman
Debbie Goot
Joanne Chesler Gross
Carole and John Harrison
Connie and Mark Hawn
Margaret Hopkins
Robin Howell
Barbara and Eric Joiner
Tish and Willis Lanier, M.D.
Caroline Leake
Peggy and Meurice LeFevre
Don Leslie, M.D.
Jayne Lipman
Stephen Lore
Debbie and Tommy Malone
Faye and Lewis Manderson
Allyson May
Susan McCaffrey
Leslie McLeod
Beverly Mitchell
Dorothy Mitchell-Leef, M.D.
and Forrest Leef
Carol and Abner Moore
Elizabeth Morris
Linda and Tom Morris
Rene Nalley
Debbie and Lon Neese
Mary Norwood
Kristen and John Novay
Carol Ann and Phil Noyes
Sally and McKee Nunnally
Juli Owens
David Owens, M.D.
Jenny Pruitt
Lois and Bill Puckett
Kay and Ron Quigley
Georgia Schley Ritchie
and Diff Ritchie
Jack Sawyer
and Bill Torres, M.D.
Vickie Scaljon
Kim Scholes
Emory Schwall
Alana and Harold Shepherd
Linda and James Shepherd
Valerie and Scott Sikes
Jane Skinner
Jade Sykes Slover
Brenda and Dick Smith
Dottie Smith
Karen and John Spiegel
Dot Stoller
Carolyn Tanner
Susan Hurt Tanner, M.D.
Kelly Teague
Kristi Thelen
Carol Thompson
Sally Tomlinson
Kerry Tucker
Susan Tucker
Jane and Gary Ulicny, Ph.D.
Cindy and Bill Voyles
Valery Voyles
Cynthia Widner Wall
June Weitnauer
Susan White
Kara Willis
Ann Woodruff
Allen Wright
1. A
llen and Cecilia Wright and Cindy and James Wall
pose with “The Wizard of Oz” characters.
2. Ansley and John Martin
3. Legendary Chair Honoree Ms. Lou Brown Jewell
4. Juli Owens and Eli and Heather Flint
3
4
2014 Legendary Party Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
The Home Depot
Platinum Sponsors
Malone Law Offices, PC
Ed Voyles Automotive Group
Ben Voyles
Bill and Cindy Voyles
Valery Voyles
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Dames
Philanthropists
PNC Wealth Management
The Ruth and Talmage Dobbs, Jr.
Foundation
A Friend of Shepherd Center
Mrs. Andrew C. Carlos
Mr. and Mrs. John Carlos
Kelly and Toby Regal
Dante Stephensen
of Dante’s Down the Hatch
Benefactors
Arrow Exterminators
Biogen Idec
Choate Construction Company
Fidelity Bank
Genuine Parts Company
Teva Neuroscience
Tony Brewer & Company
UBS Financial Services, Inc.
Alphin Family
Mr. and Mrs. David K. Dabbiere
Laura and Larry Kelly
Sarah and Jim Kennedy
Irene and Howard Stein
Carol and Ramon Tomé
Cecilia and Allen Wright
Gold Sponsors
BNY Mellon Wealth Management
Bank of North Georgia
Crawford & Company
Guynn Family Produce Sales
Edwina and Tom Johnson
Family Foundation
The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead
The Arthur M. Blank Family
Foundation
A Friend of Shepherd Center
Elizabeth and Carl Allen
Donna and Chip Davidson
Cindy and Bill Fowler
Jennifer and David Kahn
Mr. and Mrs. Meurice E. LeFevre, Sr.
Dr. Abner and Carol Moore
Elizabeth and Chris Morris
Sally and McKee Nunnally
Jenny and Bob Pruitt
Dr. and Mrs. Harold Ramos
The Late Mrs. J. Lucian Smith
Karen and John Spiegel
Cindy and Bill Voyles
Susan and Tony White
Charity and Michael Whitney
Judy Zaban and Lester Miller
Silver Sponsors
Alston & Bird LLP
Budget Rent A Car of Atlanta/Roger
and Corky Gelder
Grady Health Foundation
The Colleen and Sam Nunn
Family Foundation
Parker Hannifin, Human Motion
and Control
A Friend of Shepherd Center
Carol Abreu and Bob Hagan
Fred. V. Alias
Dr. and Mrs. David F. Apple, Jr.
Yum and Ross Arnold
Cyndae Arrendale
Dr. Gerald S. Bilsky
and Dr. Judith Tolkan
Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. Blackney
Mr. and Mrs. Kendall Bryant
Jimmy and Helen Carlos
Ms. Helen Carlos
and Mr. Ron Hilliard
Beth and George Cary, M.D.
Nancy and Richard Chambers
Janet and John Costello
Ann and John Day
Faye and John Donaldson
Vivian and Sam DuBose
Dr. Anna Elmers
George and Sandra Fryhofer, M.D.
Pete and Brenda S. Garcia
Angie and Jeré Garde
Carol L. Goodman
Debbie and Stephen Goot
Mr. and Mrs. William Hanger
Susan and Scott Hawkins
Mr. and Mrs. Mark E. Hawn
Betty Hulse
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kay
Ann and Larry Klamon
Debbie and Lon Neese
Carol Ann and Phil Noyes
Dr. and Mrs. David S. Owens
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Pirrung
Sandra and Larry Prince
Cindy and Jack Rooker
Louise Sams and Jerome Grilhot
Dr. and Mrs. William M. Scaljon
Emory Schwall
Lynn and Bill Shearer
Mr. and Mrs. J. Harold Shepherd
Jade and Jack Slover
Brenda and Dick Smith
Lou and Dick Stormont
Dr. Susan C. Tanner
and Mr. Robert Tanner
Carol and Jim Thompson
Dr. Ben Thrower
June and John Weitnauer
Patrons
Hirsh Real Estate Specialists
McLain Family Foundation
MiMedx Group, Inc.
Saks 5th Avenue
Wilmington Trust
Mr. and Mrs. Albert M. Ashkouti
Dr. Evis Babo and
Mr. Stephen Weizenecker
Linda and Jimmy Balkcom
Dr. and Mrs. Brock Bowman
Arline and Larry Browder
Guy Buckle, M.D.
Mr. Andrew Cash
Sara and Donnie Chapman
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Chatel
Aimee and Tom Chubb
Kate and Bruce Cotterman
Dr. and Mrs. Andrew Dennison
Patti Dickey
Dr. Keith and Marian Dockery
Don Dorough and Wanda Kirkland
Mr. and Mrs. C. Michael Evert, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. David Flint
Mr. and Mrs. Eli Flint
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Gallagher
Drs. Dina and John Giesler
Marty and John Gillin
Mr. and Mrs. William C. Hatcher
Julie and Bo Heiner
Mrs. Lou Brown Jewell
Barbara and Eric Joiner
Dr. and Mrs. Mike L. Jones
Mr. and Mrs. John Peter Langsfeld
Dr. and Mrs. Willis E. Lanier
Regina and Sergio LeGuizamon
Donald Peck Leslie, M.D.
Mary Beth Lester
John Lin, M.D.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Douglas Lindauer
Kay and Steve Lore
Allyson May
Susan and Jim McCaffrey
Mrs. Hugh C. McLeod III
Mr. and Mrs. J. Hays Mershon
Ginny Millner
Dr. Dorothy Mitchell-Leef
and Mr. Forrest I. Leef
Linda and Tom Morris
Kimberly and Duane Morrow
Ben Edward Noble
Mary and Felton Norwood
Mr. and Mrs. Emory H. Palmer
Kay and Ron Quigley
Georgia Schley Ritchie
and Diff Ritchie
Jack Sawyer and Bill Torres, M.D.
Judi and Bruce Schindler
Dr. and Mrs. Erik Shaw
Mr. and Mrs. James H. Shepherd, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. James H. Shepherd III
Valerie and Scott Sikes
Jane Fickling Skinner
Mr. and Mrs. K. Boynton Smith
Mr. Jeffrey Sprecher
and Ms. Kelly Loeffler
Dot Stoller
Rhett and Carolyn Tanner
Anita and Michael Thomas
Richard K. and Kelly Tucker
Gary and Jane Ulicny
Ford Vox, M.D.
Dr. and Mrs. Jay Herbert West
Mr. and Mrs. David White
Marion and Hamilton Williams
Jane Woodruff
Spinal Column® / Winter 2015 • 25
SHEPHERD CENTER HOSTS
31st Annual
Shepherd Center Cup
By Cara Roxland
SHEPHERD CENTER RAISED MORE THAN
$225,000 for its patient programs at the 31st
annual Shepherd Center Cup golf tournament
on Sept. 15 at Cherokee Country Club in Atlanta.
As part of the event, golfers enjoyed a grilled
lunch before warming up for play. Following a
competitive round of golf, participants attended
an awards reception and received a Tee Gift –
the choice of a sweater or vest from Peter Millar.
The celebration continued with the 19th Hole
Party, hosted by Elizabeth and Carl Allen, on
Sept. 19. The party featured delicious food and
drinks, as well as silent and live auctions. The live
auction featured a unique opportunity – to be a
character in Stuart Wood’s upcoming novel – and
an original painting of Lady Liberty by local artist
Steve Penley. The highlight of the night was a golf
ball helicopter drop, in which guests purchased
numbered golf balls that were dropped from a
helicopter. The ball closest to the pin flag won a
Big Green Egg ceramic grill.
PHOTO BY NAME
Andy and Katie Vance and Stephanie and Street Nally
26 • news.shepherd.org
North Course
South Course
1
2nd
Primerica
King & Spalding
Penta Risk
Pittman Construction
Low
Gross
Piedmont Resin Supply
Georgia Highway
Contractors Association
st
Duane Morrow, Joel Gephart,
Gary Wright and Jim Balmer
Parker Hix, Alan Wessel, Jeff
Armstrong and Mark Ressler
Matt Griffith, Hayes Evans,
Jayce Stepp and Scott Hamilton
2014 Committee
Street Nalley,
Chairman
Shaler Alias
Hunter Amos
Duncan Beard
William Brakebill
DuVall Brumby
Catherine Churchill
Kendrick Dopp
John Dryman
Bryan Flint
Woody Gayle
Philip Mize
Duane Morrow
Kathie Neyman
Lois Puckett
Toby Regal
Jamie Reynolds
Warren Pope, Thad Wilson,
Michael Henson and Charlie Arnold
Louie Pittman, Steve Copeland,
Bill Nygaard and Paul Rudder
David Moellering, Mike Williams,
Tommy Tidwell and Matt Craddock
1
John Rooker
Amy Salloum
Frank Spears
Andy Vance
Winston Wiant
Zack Wing
Daniel Yates
2014 Shepherd Center Cup Sponsors
NORTH COURSE SPONSOR
Amerisure
SOUTH COURSE SPONSOR
REPAY Realtime Electronic
Payments
19TH HOLE PARTY
PRESENTING SPONSOR
Choate Construction Company
CHAMPION SPONSOR
Cox Enterprises, Inc.
PHOTO BY NAME
MEDALIST SPONSORS
Biogen Idec
Primerica Life Insurance Company
SunTrust Bank – Commercial Dealer
Services
Charity & Michael Whitney
TEAM AND HOLE SPONSORS
Baker Audio Visual
Batchelor & Kimball
Mr. and Mrs. C. Duncan Beard
Bennett Thrasher
Georgia Highway Contractors
Association
Heery International, Inc.
King & Spalding
Morgan Stanley – The Frank Group
NuMotion
PentaRisk Insurance Specialists
The Regal Group
Rooker Co.
Schreeder, Wheeler & Flint, LLP
Sewell Printing Service, Inc.
SONS Auto Group
Turner Broadcasting
Yates Insurance Agency
TEAM SPONSORS
Bank of North Georgia
Brand Properties
Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Coloplast
Corey Companies
Draffin and Tucker, LLP
The Dryman Team and CBRE
HIMformatics
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Holleman
JWR Acquisitions, LLC
Mr. and Mrs. David B. Kahn
Billi Marcus
McGriff Seibels & Williams, Inc.
Milner, Inc.
Momar Inc.
Novare Group
PentaRisk Insurance Specialists
Piedmont Resin Supply, LLC
Pittman Construction Company
E. R. Snell Contractor, Inc.
SunTrust Robinson Humphrey
Turner Broadcasting
Tommy Vance
Mr. and Mrs. Tony L. White
HOLE SPONSORS
Jim Caswell
CNA
Georgia Hospital Association
Genuine Parts Company (2)
Mr. and Mrs. William C. Hatcher
LCG Associates, Inc.
Dr. and Mrs. David S. Owens
Boynton and Elizabeth Smith
TransAmerica Retirement Solutions
Zaxby’s
2
1. Bennett Alberson, Steve Wilkes, Nicki Strickland and Guy Suchy
2. The Choate Construction team
PHOTOS BY CARA ROXL AND
PATRONS
George F. Richardson, Inc.
Valerie and Scott Sikes
/ Winter
/ Fall 2015
Spinal
Spinal
Column®
Column®
2014 • 27
UPCOMING
EVENTS
SHEPHERD CENTER
FOUNDATION
Mark your 2015 calendar
with the following Shepherd
Center Foundation meetings
and events.
SAVE THE DATE FOR SHEPHERD CENTER SOCIETY’S
ShepherdCenterSociety.com
1
PHOTO STREAM
1. Volunteers Mary Gilbreath
Pope, Hugh Pope and their
daughter Elizabeth Pope at the
annual Peach Corps. Cookout.
2. Catherine Wall, Sam Carter
and Amanda Wall enjoy music
and dancing at Party in the Park
in November 2014.
4. Blake Meyrowitz and Catherine
Wall volunteer at the fall tailgate
for patients and families.
28 • news.shepherd.org
PHOTO BY NAME
3. Members of the Junior
Committee Exec Board, Elizabeth
Shortridge, Diana Prickett, Charlie
Humphreys, Adam Diamond and
Michael Holt help host a fall
tailgate for patients and family
members in partnership with the
Young Shepherds volunteer group.
18
FEBRUARY
Junior
Committee
Meeting
2
Membership for Junior
Committee is open for
Derby Day 2015.
For more information, visit
DerbyDay.com
3
4
Save the date
Spinal Column® / Winter 2015 • 29
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 Aug. 1, 2014 and Oct. 31, 2014.
Kathy Adams –
“Thanks for your help.
It was greatly appreciated.”
Dr. and Mrs. Gary R. Ulicny
Ruth D. Anthony
Mr. and Mrs. William D. Skinner
Dr. David F. Apple
Mr. and Mrs. Roger G. Gelder
Cyndae A. Arrendale’s Recovery
Donald Peck Leslie, M.D.
Teresa A. Ashman –
Congratulations on 2014 ACRM
Fellowship.
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Deborah Backus –
Congratulations on
2014 ACRM Fellowship.
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Margaret Balliet
Mrs. Peggy S. Tingley
Betsy Banan
Mr. Wesley A. Varda
Leah Barid – Congratulations
on your promotion.
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Marla J. Bennett
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Bennett
Rickie Bogle and Justin Drake’s
Wedding and In Honor of
Cruise Bogle
Ms. Daphne Carlson
Georgia Cohen’s Bat Mitzvah
Mrs. Jill Chopra
Mr. and Mrs. David B. Izard
Deborah Cooper –
Congratulations on the
Daisy Award.
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Carrie D. Crozer’s Birthday
Dr. and Mrs. James T. Duncan, Jr.
Ice Bucket Challenge
Mr. Mike Magee
Martin C. Isenberg’s Birthday
Mr. and Mrs. Mitch Paul
Diane M. Johnston –
Congratulations on your
promotion.
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Michael A. DuBois’ Birthday
Verizon Foundation
Ann C. Kay’s 70th Birthday
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen B. Goot
Julia and Ishan Nath’s Marriage
Mrs. Christine Willis
Mynel Yates DuBose’s Birthday
Ms. Jane R. Davenport
Stephanie Kiser –
Happy Birthday Daughter
Dr. and Mrs. David F. Apple, Jr.
Mike Nemetz –
Great Shepherd Cup Player
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Austin Kitterman
Staff Sgt. Robbie B. Richardson
Florina S. Newcomb – Great
work with Summer in the City
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Travis Ellis
Reverb
Ruth T. Fierman –
Successful Retirement
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Aric Fine’s Recovery
Mr. and Mrs. Jason C. Keeline
Sean Forster –
Great Shepherd Cup Player
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Joe Gaskin – Great Shepherd Cup
Player
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Bernard S. Goldstein’s Recovery
Mr. and Mrs. Joel K. Isenberg
Phyllis Kravitch’s Birthday
Mrs. Bernice K. Mazo
Molly Y. Lanier – Congratulations
on being elected to Hospital
Board of Directors.
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Kim V. Lee
Mr. Guy M. Lee, Jr.
Julianna and Joseph
Lerner’s First Grandchild –
Caroline Lerner
Mr. and Mrs. Joel K. Isenberg
Dr. Donald P. Leslie
Ms. Joy Bruce
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen B. Holleman
Marci L. Bozeman –
Good luck on your move.
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Jaycee Harding’s Birthday
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Dr. Donald P. Leslie’s Birthday
Ms. Brenda F. Jones
Clare T. Hartigan – Long-serving
Shepherd Associate
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Johnson
Dale S. Lomas
Mr. and Mrs. Neil Christman
Marnite B. Calder –
Congratulations on Foundation
Board of Trustees Nominating
Committee Chairmanship.
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Eula C. Carlos
Ms. Theodora Campbell
Joe Harvard
Donald Peck Leslie, M.D.
David L. Haselschwerdt
Dr. and Mrs. Robert M. Fryer
Mr. and Mrs. Scott L. Tucker
Mr. and Mrs. Vernon C. Whitman
R. Reed Heddleston
Mr. and Mrs. Zach M. Wilson
Margaret Dorsey Heller
Mr. and Mrs. Harold E. Akselrad
Kevin Hillery’s Recovery
Mr. Donald E. Coombs
Erin Holt
Mr. Thomas B. Archer
30 • news.shepherd.org
Sarah A. Morrison –
Happy Boss’s Day
Ms. J. Cole Harding
Casey Kandilakis –
Poster Presentation
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Denise and John Griffin’s Marriage
Mrs. Mynel Yates DuBose
Jessica Burrell
Ms. Jessica Burrell
Philip Mize –
Great Shepherd Cup Player
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
William Blake DeNamur
Dr. and Mrs. Sammy Caves
David Box
Ms. Jennifer Box
Blake Burdette –
Poster Presentations
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Shelley L. Mitchell –
Thanks for helping and caring.
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Mike Lubin –
Great Shepherd Cup Player
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Carol R. Lynch’s Recovery
Mr. and Mrs. John Street
Billie and Bernie Marcus
Mr. and Mrs. Joel C. Lobel
Karen A. Mathews –
Happy Birthday Daughter
Dr. and Mrs. David F. Apple, Jr.
Julie L. Millians
Mrs. Clare B. Millians
Duane M. Morrow
Dr. David S. Owens
Juli J. Owens –
Congratulations on your
election to Vice Chair to the
Foundation Board of Trustees.
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Norma Parker
Mr. and Mrs. Mark R. Fricks
Benjamin Patch
Ms. Julia Chmaj
Kacey Patterson
Mr. and Mrs. Travis N. Fulk
Craig L. Powell’s Birthday
Mrs. Janet Powell
Shepherd’s Men Run –
Fellow Marines and one Navy
making the run – Semper Fi!
Mr. and Mrs. Frank M. Bishop
James M. Reynolds III
Mr. James G. Strickland
Sandra Richards-Quansah –
Congratulations on
the Daisy Award.
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Jonathan G. Roxland –
Congratulations on
Five Years at Shepherd Center.
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
John Sager’s 80th Birthday
Mr. and Mrs. Milton D. Jacobson
P. J. Samorian’s Birthday
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Hamilton
Beth Sasso – Poster Presentation
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
2
1
3
1. Members of the Atlanta Falcons Rookie team visited with patients in November 2014. 2. Actor Gary Sinise and staff
members from the Gary Sinise Foundation, which supports military service personnel and first responders, visited Shepherd
Center’s SHARE Military Initiative on Sept. 15, 2014. 3. Shepherd Center staff members raised money for a cure for multiple
sclerosis (MS) at the 2014 Bike MS Cox Atlanta Ride at Callaway Gardens on Sept. 20-21, 2014.
Sarah B. Schloss
Ms. Mary Frances Bailey
Ms. Cynthia Bolling
Mrs. Janice Coppa
Ms. P. B. Counselman
Mrs. Dennis M. Gartman
Mrs. Sydney Grimes
Ms. Melissa K. Holloman
Mrs. Frances H. Jones
Mrs. Sarah Julien
Ms. Elise Kennett
Mrs. Katherine Kretz
Mrs. Nina M. McConnell
Mrs. Adelle Morgan
Mrs. Lata Morris
Mrs. Sharon Newhard
Ms. Judy Perry
Mrs. Deborah L. Powell
Mrs. Margaret Powell
Mrs. Amye M. Stephenson
Mrs. Holly Stepnicka
Mrs. Susan Terry
Mrs. Cynthia K. Tymoff
Mrs. Cathy B. Whittington
Nancy Schroll
Mr. and Mrs. Mark R. Fricks
Emory A. Schwall
Dr. Dorothy E. Mitchell-Leef
and Mr. Forrest I. Leef
Alana Shepherd –
For her years of service and
commitment to the Altanta
Community
The Goddard Fund of The
Community Foundation
for Greater Atlanta
Alana Shepherd’s Induction
as a Georgia Trustee
Gas South, LLC.
Mr. and Mrs. Galen L. Oelkers
Anne and John Shepherd
Mrs. Barbara S. Malkove
James H. Shepherd –
Happy Boss’s Day
Ms. J. Cole Harding
Linda Shepherd –
Successful Retirement
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Stephen B. Shepherd’s Birthday
Bickers Consulting Group, LLC
Shepherd Center –
SHARE Military Initiative Staff
Society of American Military
Engineers – Atlanta Post
Shepherd Center –
Thank you and God bless.
RNB Productions
Shepherd Family
Mr. P. Dan Yates, Jr.
Shepherd Pathways –
Blue Team 2006-2007
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth C. Etheridge
Matthew E. Simmons
Mr. and Mrs. Ricky E. Simmons
Frank N. Spears
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel I. DuBose
Vincent Starace
Mr. John V. Weindler
Megan Stephenson –
Happy Birthday Daughter
Dr. and Mrs. David F. Apple, Jr.
Michael Sumrall
Mr. Richard M. Sumrall
Jennifer K. Swindall –
Congratulations on Five Years
at Shepherd Center.
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Gary R. Ulicny –
Happy Boss’s Day
Ms. J. Cole Harding
Ronald Urken’s 80th Birthday
Mr. and Mrs. Max Diamond
Leslie VanHiel –
Poster Presentation
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Rowena Velez –
Thanks for your Soarian help.
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Kent B. Walker
Mr. and Mrs. Doug Walker
Kristie Tant
Mr. Cameron D. Tant
Tracy L. Walling – Good Luck
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Brenda P. Thorpe –
Successful Retirement
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Lee Weinstein’s Recovery
Mr. and Mrs. Joel K. Isenberg
Jane Ulicny –
Happy 60th Birthday
Mr. and Mrs. Fred B. Aftergut
Dr. and Mrs. David F. Apple, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Donald C. Chapman, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen B. Goot
Mr. and Mrs. John J. Martin
Mr. and Mrs. Terrence M. Tracy
Mr. and Mrs. Zachary M. Wilson
Michael White
Dr. and Mrs. Sanders S. Ergas
Faye Wilson
Mr. Daniel Tierney
Laurie Wood
Mr. Michael C. Ransdell
Sarah Woodworth – Poster Prize
Dr. David F. Apple, Jr.
Spinal Column® / Winter 2015 • 31
m
MEMORIALS
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 Aug. 1, 2014 and Oct. 31, 2014.
John E. Aderhold
Mrs. Howard P. Lawrence
Albert S. Cohen
Mr. and Mrs. Max Diamond
David F. Albers
Mr. and Mrs. James D. Thompson
Richard A. Colby
Ms. Louise A. Cirrone
Mr. and Mrs. David Tatum
Aline F. Alias
Mr. and Mrs. Frank K. Flautt
Mr. and Mrs. William R. Gregory
Dr. and Mrs. Ross F. Grumet
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort
& Spa and Board of Directors
of SH General Partner
Insightpool LLC
Mr. Robert T. Kamm
Ms. Jennifer Malkin
Mr. Dan Martin
Mr. Emory A. Schwall
Mr. and Mrs. J. Harold Shepherd
Mr. and Mrs. James H. Shepherd, Jr.
Dr. Davis R. Watson, Jr.
Beaumont A. Allen
Mr. and Mrs. J. Harold Shepherd
Elkin G. Alston
The Goddard Fund of The
Community Foundation for
Greater Atlanta
James L. “Ed” Anderson
Mr. and Mrs. Joel K. Isenberg
Laura and Karl Anschutz
Ms. Esther L. Abisamra
Ms. Hope Abisamra
Marvin R. Back
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Back
Regina and Philip Bongiovanni
Mr. Robert S. Thomas
Lovic A. Brooks, Jr.
Mrs. Jane W. Agati
Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Hughes
Rebecca Busbey
Mr. and Mrs. Brian S. Brown
Mr. and Mrs. Jarrett L. Davis III
Mrs. Joan D. Woodall
Gordon C. Bynum, Jr.
Mr. Stephen R. Slade
Dana M. Carr
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Mercer
Mr. and Mrs. John J. Mullaney
Betty G. Chilton
Mr. and Mrs. William
H. Schneidewind, Jr.
George Clisby Clarke
Mr. and Mrs. James R. Gabrielsen
Mrs. Kay R. Holland
Ms. Mariana R. Quarnstrom
Mr. and Mrs. William W. Williams
32 • news.shepherd.org
Jennifer Coleman
Ms. Irene Coleman
Harold Corbin
Mr. and Mrs. Mark W. Slonaker
James Cowart
Mr. and Mrs. Steven J. Labovitz
Florence Dayan
Mr. and Mrs. Joel K. Isenberg
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph S. Lerner, Jr.
Kenneth J. DeSimone, M.D.
Mr. Spencer W. Smith, Sr.
Chris Diehl
Mr. and Mrs. Mark R. Fricks
Matilda M. Dobbs
Dr. and Mrs. Carter Smith, Jr.
Mrs. Joan D. Woodall
Lisa Smith Donini
Mrs. Debra Freeman
Mrs. Rebecca D. Long
Ms. Marie Newsom
Tom Duggan –
A Very Special Friend
Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Reynolds
Theodore M. Forbes
Mr. George H. Kirkland III
Mary Powell B. Fowler
Mrs. Frank C. Bowen, Jr.
David L. Funk
Mr. and Mrs. Steven M. Funk
Raymond Ganssle, Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. Michael B. Thomas
Debra Garlington
Mr. and Mrs. Antonio G. Sideris
Ansley Garrard
Mr. and Mrs. Peter A. Wilson
Gary J. George
Barbara and Jerry Greenbaum
Felice Gerber
Mr. and Mrs. Milton D. Jacobson
Margaret Gillogly
Mr. and Mrs. Donald C. Chapman, Jr.
James H. Groome
Ms. Cynthia Canning
Mrs. Marilyn S. Evans
Georgia Mining Association
Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Gibson
Mr. and Mrs. James S. Gillespie
Ms. Betty Lou Howard
Koehn Enterprises, LLC
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen A. Martin
Donald Wayne Hakola
Mr. Bruce Prock
Tommy Hanson
Mr. and Mrs. Mark W. Slonaker
Nicholas Hardage
Mrs. Phyllis E. Hardage
Ivelisse Mendez
Donna Harvard
Donald Peck Leslie, M.D.
Peggy D. Hayes
Ms. Joanne Hayes
William “Bill” Heinz
Mr. and Mrs. James M. Caswell, Jr.
Richard Helton
Mrs. Leslie D. McLeod
Lena Hoffman
Mr. and Mrs. Milton D. Jacobson
Eric G. Howard
Reynolds Golf Club, Inc.
Frank W. “Billy” Hulse IV
Mr. Michael F. Bruton
Ms. Laura B. Jones
Local Favorites
Mrs. Virginia Bondurant
Mr. and Mrs. James M. Caswell, Jr.
Mrs. Marilyn S. Evans
Mrs. Laleah S. Furniss
Mrs. Frank S. Goodman
Mrs. Lindsey Hopkins III
Mrs. Kathryn H. Hutchinson
Mrs. G. Albert Lawton
Mr. and Mrs. John W. Lundeen III
Dr. Lloyd F. Timberlake
Mr. Mark West
Mrs. Mary Belle Wilkins
Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Wynne
Miriam W. Kiser
Dr. and Mrs. David F. Apple, Jr.
Audrey Leola Lampman
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Mercer
Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Milazzo
Mr. and Mrs. John J. Mullaney
Mr. Michael F. Suffern
Ms. Grace C. Watts
LTC (R) and Mrs. James E. Wheeler
Audrey Lampman and Grandson,
Dana Carr
Chemung Canal Trust Company
Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan D. Coyles
Ms. Barbara Desanto
Dr. and Mrs. Edward J. Hampton
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Riopko
Ms. Wendy Silaghi
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Vosburgh
Hazel Lassiter
Dixie Cup Spring Classic
Alexander Hunt
Miss Trish Sammons
Frank M. Leigh
Dr. and Mrs. Carter Smith, Jr.
Florence R. Inman
Ms. Dorothy H. Addison
Mrs. McCary Ballard
Ms. Martha A. Barnes
Mr. and Mrs. J. Coleman Budd
Mr. and Mrs. Marcus A. Cook III
Fox Theatre
Mrs. Joan J. Hardwick
LifeGate Church
Mrs. Thomas E. Martin, Jr.
Mrs. Sheryl McKenzie
Mr. Hugh Richardson, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Harold Shepherd
Dr. and Mrs. Carter Smith, Jr.
SunTrust Bank
Mr. and Mrs. Terrence M. Tracy
Ms. Janette Wells
Ms. Mary F. Wilson
Mr. and Mrs. Louis B. Wood, Jr.
Mrs. Tillie J. Yow
Myron B. Levy
Ms. Lois E. Detwiler
Ms. Sally Posmantur
Dr. Lee B. Kaufman
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Arogeti
Mrs. Sam Arogeti
Kathleen A. Kelly
Mr. and Mrs. J. Harold Shepherd
Gayle E. Kennedy
Mr. and Ms. Edward Addison
Raymond C. Mac Aloney
Mrs. R.C. Mac Aloney
Ira Madans
Mr. and Mrs. Milton D. Jacobson
Jane J. Marsden
Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Addison
Mr. and Mrs. Frank M. Ager
Mr. and Mrs. Wiley S. Ansley
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Anthony
Mr. and Mrs. J. Coleman Budd
Mr. and Mrs. Dan D. Carithers, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. James M. Caswell, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. David A. Culley
Mrs. Paul A. Duke
Mrs. Henrietta Emack
Mrs. Frazer Fiveash
Mrs. William B. George
Mr. and Mrs. Peter B. Glass
Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Gray
Mrs. V. Davis Hunt, Jr.
Mr. Barry Hutner
Mr. and Mrs. James E. Jowers, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. James F. Kortan
Jacquelynne P. Lanham Designs, Inc.
Lanigan Insurance Group
Liza Bryan Interiors, Inc.
Ms. Courtney Loudermilk
Mrs. Phyllis J. Menser
Mr. and Mrs. Guy W. Millner
Mr. and Mrs. William T. Milton
Mrs. Henry B. Moog, Jr.
Myers Carpet
Mr. and Mrs. D. Kerry O’Brien
Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Owens, Jr.
Mr. Jerry Pair
Mr. William A. Parker, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel B. Pattillo, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh D. Peterson
Mrs. Charles H. Peterson
PFVS Interiors
Richters of Atlanta
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Schroder
Mr. and Mrs. J. Harold Shepherd
Dr. and Mrs. D. H. Silcox III
Mrs. Robert L. Sterling, Jr.
Topping & Associates LLC
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce B. Wilson
Mr. and Mrs. Donald W. Wilson
Mr. and Mrs. Oran D. Woodall
Ms. Nancy Zeng
Angie F. Marshall
Dr. and Mrs. Elmer A. Musarra
Sara L. Mattingly
Bryan and Angie, Bonny, Ashley
and Jason and Bonnie
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Edwards
Ms. Deborah E. Harry
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Montag
Mr. and Mrs. James E. Prickett
James A. “Jerry” McCallum
Mr. and Mrs. Ted Brooks
Mrs. Gordon Cockerham
Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Quintanilla
Mr. Heath Thompson
Calhoun McDougall
Mrs. Joan D. Woodall
John Rowland McKinney, Jr.
Miss Christine C. Collins
Ms. Ann R. Cox
Elliott Davis, LLC
Ms. Rebecca D. Fletcher
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew C. Heaner
Mr. and Mrs. Russell M. Lawrence
Mr. and Mrs. Harry D. McKinney, Jr.
Ms. Maureen Reilly
Ms. Doris Sandberg
Dr. and Mrs. Phil Tinkler
Ryan P. Means
Mr. Paul D. Babaz
Caines Hill Partners, LLC
Mr. Joshua C. Cobb
FC Industries, LLC
Mr. and Mrs. Brian P. Gately
Mr. and Mrs. Gordy Germany
Mr. and Mrs. Lee Haverstock
Mr. and Mrs. John A. Higley
Mr. and Mrs. David M. Hilsman
Regina Kay, Ph.D.
Mr. and Mrs. Brian M. Lusink
Mekanism Inc.
Origin Ads, LLC
USAA
Mr. John W. Weber
Ms. Susan L. Whorton
Samuel “Mike” Means
Mrs. Sally C. Atwell
Mr. Tom Tedards
Nancy Montet
Mrs. Frank C. Bowen, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. James M. Caswell, Jr.
Mrs. Frances W. Ramsey
George A. Montgomery
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Henson
Mr. and Mrs. J. Martin Turbidy
Mrs. Joan D. Woodall
William V. Norton
Mr. and Mrs. Walter V. Henderson
Jeanne O’Neill
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph B. Julian
George William Pasha III
Mr. and Mrs. Adam A. Malone
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Malone
Tyler Plemons
Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Tucker
Elizabeth G. Pope
Mr. and Mrs. Richard K. Hines
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Walters
Mrs. Rebecca D. Warner
Carolyn M. Pugh
Dixie Cup Spring Classic
Gary Ravotti
Mrs. April Sorrow
Robert W. Rhodes
Mr. and Mrs. Michael M. Bailey
Ms. Joni C. Bisek
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. Bisek
“The Book Club”
Jody Duke
Debbie Gay
Jamie Holiman
Gigi Parker
Amy Sixby
Glenda Watson
Michelle White
Cheryl Williams
Nancy Zuerlin
Linda Zust
Ms. Mary Claire Bowen
Mr. and Mrs. David K. Burks
Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Bycer
Mr. Bill Chamberlin
Mr. and Mrs. Robert N. Childress
Mr. and Mrs. William J. Cooper
Mr. and Mrs. Alan Feather
First Baptist Church Sunday
School Class
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Fleming
Mr. Jack M. Flowers
Ms. Deanna M. Gordon
Ms. Sallie C. Graves
Mr. and Mrs. James P. Greenwald
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Hoffman
Ms. Mary F. Jenkins
Mr. and Mrs. Pete Kennemer
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Kyser
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel B. Larson
Little Rock Christian Academy,
LRCA, PTF
Mr. and Mrs. Leif Lorenz
Mr. and Mrs. John G. McFerrin
Mr. and Mrs. Brett McLeod
Dr. and Mrs. James A. McMillan
Dr. James R. Minish
Mr. Allen Myers
Ms. Margaret Newton
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence C. Price
Mr. and Mrs. Timmy Price
Ms. Joy A. Randell
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas T. Raney
Mr. and Mrs. J. Douglas Rich
Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Richesin II
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ring
Mr. and Mrs. Brett Rollins
Ms. Cynthia A. Rushton
Mr. John Sebastian
Ms. Wendy See
Ms. Janet Simms
Mr. Todd Skaggs
Ms. Martha T. Snider
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Starr
Mr. and Mrs. James A. Stone, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Taake
Ms. Barbara Walker
Mr. and Mrs. Rick Westbrook
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Wilson
Mr. and Mrs. Carter Wolf
Mr. and Mrs. Ron Wright
Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Yaffe
Mr. Richard Yaffe
Samantha Ann Rodzwicz
Ms. Christy Bell
Ms. Constance L. Davis
Ms. Nicole Lazo
Mr. Justin Sampson
Pat Roland
Mr. and Mrs. Joel K. Isenberg
Jane Gatewood Roszel
Mrs. Frank C. Bowen, Jr.
Marion Kiser Sanford
Mrs. Joan D. Woodall
Edward H. Schweers
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce B. Wilson
Mary T. Sewell
Mr. and Mrs. J. Coleman Budd
Mr. and Mrs. James M. Caswell, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Donald C. Chapman, Jr.
Mr. William B. Erb
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen B. Goot
Ladies Investment Limited, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Louie A. Pittman, Jr.
Mr. Emory A. Schwall
Mr. and Mrs. J. Harold Shepherd
Warren P. Sewell
Mr. and Mrs. J. Coleman Budd
Dana J. Shepherd
Blount-Sanford Const. Co.
Mrs. Christy K. Davidson
Mrs. John W. Grant
Mr. Robert H. Hogg III
Mrs. Kay R. Holland
Mrs. Catherine T. Porter
Dr. and Mrs. William M. Scaljon
Mr. and Mrs. John E. Shepherd
Mr. and Mrs. Doug Smith
Mrs. Rebecca D. Warner
Mr. and Mrs. M. H. Woodside, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Wynne
Elaine C. Shigley
Mr. and Mrs. Jerald E. Lynch
Karen N. Sibley
Mr. and Mrs. J. Harold Shepherd
Claire D. Smith
Mrs. Leslie D. McLeod
Betty Haverty Smith
Mr. and Mrs. J. Harold Shepherd
Erlene Smith
Mrs. Leslie D. McLeod
Lars Steib
Mrs. Joan D. Woodall
Robert L. Sterling
Mrs. William B. George
Mrs. Lindsey Hopkins III
Mr. and Mrs. Guy W. Millner
Mrs. Morris L. Shadburn, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Harold Shepherd
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce B. Wilson
Mrs. Joan D. Woodall
Doris S. Swaim
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick O. Reese
Edward A. Thornwell, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. Carter Smith, Jr.
Cary Bowen Thorpe
Mrs. Frank C. Bowen, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. James M. Caswell, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. John E. Duggan
Mrs. Paul A. Duke
Mr. and Mrs. M. Lamar Oglesby
Mrs. Ralph C. Pate, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Harold Shepherd
Dr. and Mrs. Carter Smith, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce B. Wilson
Mrs. Joan D. Woodall
Ernestine Thrower
Donald Peck Leslie, M.D.
Linda and James Shepherd
Sarah and Jamie Shepherd
Julie and David White
Roger D. Travis
Mrs. Meredith Hunter
Mr. Clabe R. Polk
Seminole High Performance Tennis
Bobby Varnadoe
Ms. Jill B. Bowen
Mr. and Mrs. Russell C. Denson
Norma Verley-Barrett
Sparrow Point Middle School
Dora W. Voyles
Mr. and Mrs. R. Jeff Elliott
Mr. and Mrs. Peter A. Richards
Ed Voyles
Mr. and Mrs. R. Jeff Elliott
Mr. and Mrs. Peter A. Richards
Bill Voyles, Jr.
Mrs. Kay R. Holland
Mr. Emory A. Schwall
Marie B. Warren
Dr. and Mrs. Carter Smith, Jr.
Michael C. Waters
Mr. and Mrs. Mario J. DeLaguardia
Nelva Webster
Mrs. Barbara K. Goda
Richard Williams
Ms. Beth Salinger
Samuel Wolff
Ms. Linda T. Banks
Jay Woodside
Mr. and Mrs. Vernon D. Martin
Doug Worful
Dr. John Hill
Mrs. Wren
Mr. and Mrs. Max Diamond
Jo.Lane Wright
Mr. and Mrs. James M. Caswell, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles K. Cross
Mrs. Bert Hene
Mrs. Lindsey Hopkins III
Ladies Investment Limited, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Loudermilk, Jr.
Ms. Blythe P. Minter
Mr. and Mrs. J. Harold Shepherd
Mr. and Mrs. John C. Thomas, Jr.
Marvin H. Zion
Mr. and Mrs. Milton D. Jacobson
Spinal Column® / Winter 2015 • 33
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Atlanta, GA
Permit No. 1703
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
People with Disabilities Need
Preparedness Plan for Storms
and Other Emergencies
NATUR AL DISASTERS AND OTHER PUBLIC
EMERGENCIES can leave people stranded for days,
cause breaks in communication networks, and make
streets and walkways impassable.
Officials advise people, especially those with disabilities,
to create a plan to ensure their safety during those
critical first days of an emergency. Shepherd Center
and Wireless RERC researchers John Morris, Ph.D.,
and Mike Jones, Ph.D., have created some guidelines
for preparing for emergency situations and a checklist
for building an emergency kit.
Create an emergency plan for each place where
you ordinarily spend your time and practice your plan,
Morris said. The National Organization on Disability
(NOD) recommends having an emergency plan for
home, work, and school. Each plan should include:
your personal network, escape routes, sources and
devices for obtaining information, and essential items
needed, including medicine and assistive devices.
Public emergencies and disasters are stressful, Jones noted. Homes
and other property may be damaged. People may be hurt or in danger.
Environmental conditions may make it more difficult to do normal activities
like eating, sleeping, breathing and thinking. Medical conditions you have
could become worse under these conditions, he added. Recognizing the
symptoms of stress in yourself and others around you helps manage
stress and its negative effects.
Download a more detailed checklist for building
an emergency kit at http://bit.ly/1wNqoft.