The Shepherd Center

Written October 9 2010  8:54 pm

Anita was again taken off the vent at 6:00 am this morning.  She dressed and ate breakfast.  She had an Occupational Therapy (OT) session in the morning, focused on trunk control.  She then had lunch, and then had the afternoon "off".  She remained up in her wheelchair for the afternoon, took another 'trip' around the Shepherd Center, read the latest Caringbridge guestbook entries, took some phone calls from family and friends, watched some TV and ate dinner.  She retired to bed and remained off the vent until 10:00 pm, another 16 hours off the vent.  She will repeat the 16 hours off the vent on Sunday, and as previously noted next steps regarding ventilator weaning will be evaluated on Monday.  Sunday is a day of rest at the Shepherd Center, i.e. no therapy tomorrow.

The Shepherd Center is amazing.  Both from the perspective of a patient and from that of a former Occupational Therapist.  There is a full size recreational gym here for wheelchair sports (which are incredible to watch).  There is an Olympic size swimming pool, where the occasional scuba diver is spotted.  Family areas abound.  Some have pool tables.  Others have areas to play games with kids, get free coffee and snacks, or just watch TV (lots of football to be viewed here in Atlanta).  And all of it is completely wheelchair accessible.  There are lifts to lower patients into the pool.  All the tables adjust up and down to accommodate wheelchairs. Hallways and doorways are wide and forgiving "freeways" for wheelchair users.

The artwork that lines the hallways and foyers is not the standard "bolted to the wall" nature scenes from hotel rooms.  The art here is museum quality with different themes on every corridor.  There are sculptures, paintings, photographs, and collages of animals, birds, flowers, and abstracts.  It is absolutely beautiful.

There is a gift shop too, full of treasures I view through the glass window.  I won't drive myself inside for fear of breaking something.  I'm not that good at maneuvering my "semi" in tight spaces.  But I am able to operate my power wheelchair independently and cruise the "hotspots".  I find hope around every corner.  The family members I see look tired but determined.  The staff and volunteers are always kind and enthusiastic.  The patients are supportive of each other and we share victories and setbacks with genuine excitement and concern.

Hope and humor abound here.  Even though I am 9 hours away from family, friends, and Trudy, I am grateful for this opportunity to be helped and cared for here at the Shepherd Center.  Now...for just a little while.