Embracing new passions and possibilities

But Shepherd Center’s impact reaches far beyond inpatient rooms. Just ask Paris Carter, who was first referred to Shepherd after aging out of pediatric care. What began as a visit for specialized services soon became something more.

“Even during the height of the pandemic, with masks and distancing, the staff created an atmosphere of joy and compassion,” Paris says. “That environment truly drew me in, and it kept me coming back.”

As an outpatient, Paris found belonging through the driving program, the seating clinic, recreational therapy events, and adaptive sports. She’s now part of a basketball team, plays tennis, and dreams of skiing more often after a Shepherd-led trip introduced her to the slopes.

“I’m way more active now than ever,” she says. “And I’m excited for what’s ahead for me, and what’s ahead for Shepherd Center, too.”

Laughing, belonging, and being seen

The sense of camaraderie that defines the Shepherd experience doesn’t depend on the length of your stay. It’s felt in the quiet encouragement of a therapist, the laughter shared at rec therapy, and the small moments that stick with you forever.

For Paris, one of those moments came at the finish line of her first post-injury 5K.

“A staff member recognized me and ran over to cheer me on. They remembered me and were so proud. That interaction meant the world to me,” she says. “That’s the heart of Shepherd. It’s not just a place where patients are seen. It’s a place where they’re celebrated.”

And for Alexi, the heart showed up in hundreds of small but powerful ways, from nurses who lifted her spirits to therapists who empowered her voice.

“They helped me believe in my body again,” she says. “They didn’t just support me; they reminded me who I was.”

A place like no other

Whether you’re recovering from a recent injury or navigating long-term care, Shepherd Center feels less like a hospital and more like a stage. A stage where every person is invited to move, grow, and shine. Here, healing isn’t just clinical; it’s emotional, communal, and often joyful. It’s a place where the music of hope plays loud, and everyone finds their own rhythm.

“The support I’ve felt is hard to describe,” Paris says. “The staff truly care. They’re deeply invested in helping every person become the best version of themselves.”

Both Alexi and Paris now serve as powerful reminders that healing isn’t linear or solitary. It’s something built together with heart.

“Give yourself so much grace,” Alexi says. “Forget about the big stuff. Focus on the little things. They’ll become your biggest accomplishments.”

About Shepherd Center

With five decades of experience, Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. An elite center ranked by U.S. News as one of the nation’s top hospitals for rehabilitation, Shepherd Center is also recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. Shepherd Center treats thousands of patients annually with unmatched expertise and unwavering compassion to help them begin again.

Discover how you can become a patient, support our mission, or join our team.

The superpower of resilience and humor

Through every challenge, Jacob discovered something powerful: his resilience was his greatest superpower and humor his secret weapon.

“I learned to sit with discomfort, to push through pain, and to find reasons to laugh in the toughest of moments,” he says. “Laughing with my therapists, playing pranks, watching Game of Thrones with my caregivers, those moments reminded me that joy can still exist, even when life feels heavy.”

One of his proudest milestones came when he transferred into his wheelchair independently, something that seemed impossible.

“I was so focused on what I couldn’t do that I hadn’t stopped to see how far I’d come. The realization hit me like a wave. That moment wasn’t just about moving myself, it was about realizing my own physical, emotional, and mental strength.”

For Elana, some of the most meaningful moments came when Jacob began reconnecting with his passions. As part of his therapy, he was encouraged to practice writing his street art tag on the bathroom mirror using his non-dominant hand – a simple yet powerful act of self-expression.

Later, during a recreation therapy outing, Jacob added his tag to a local street art site in Atlanta, one of countless opportunities that helped him get back to doing what he loved.

“It may seem incremental, but Jacob getting out into the community and adding his art was huge. That kind of encouragement helped him believe anything was possible,” she reflects.

Achieving the ultimate goal

But his biggest victory? Making it to his sister’s high school graduation in Austria, just five months after his injury.

“From day one, that was my goal,” he says. “Doctors told my mom to temper my expectations, but I refused to accept that.”

“Everyone knew Jacob’s goal was to get to Austria,” Elana reflects. “We were discharged from Shepherd Center, and that night, Jacob and I were alone on a commercial flight to Vienna. I think I was more nervous than he was, but we did it.”

For Jacob, this moment wasn’t just about reaching a personal goal, it was a symbol of how far he had come. “It reminded me that that recovery isn’t just about physical healing; it’s about fighting for the moments that truly matter.”

A new mission for the future

Jacob’s mission continues. He’s embracing his future with determination, considering a path in law or psychiatry to advocate for others facing adversity. This has included being in a documentary to highlight the dangers of unmarked high voltage areas.

“Hope used to feel like an abstract idea. Now it’s something I carry with me; an active force I cultivate every day.”

With his superfamily by his side, Jacob isn’t just beginning again, he’s writing a whole new story, one built on strength, purpose, and the unwavering belief that even in the hardest moments, there is always hope.

About Shepherd Center

With five decades of experience, Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. An elite center ranked by U.S. News as one of the nation’s top hospitals for rehabilitation, Shepherd Center is also recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. Shepherd Center treats thousands of patients annually with unmatched expertise and unwavering compassion to help them begin again.

Discover how you can become a patient, support our mission, or join our team.