Shepherd Center - A Catastrophic Care Hospital

Duane Morrow is an inspiring Georgia native who has donated incredible amounts of time and energy to support Shepherd Center’s cause. His association with Shepherd Center began soon after his injury during a rugby game in 2004.

Duane, who was working as the chief marketing officer with Primerica in England, sustained an incomplete C-7 spinal cord injury. Following an emergency disc replacement, he was flown to Atlanta where he began his rehabilitation. Told that he had a 1 percent chance of walking again, Duane responded by saying: “So you’re telling me there’s a chance? Good.” He was told that his doctor had only known of three patients with his injury type who had recovered their pre-injury level of mobility. He responded, “You’re looking at the fourth.”

Through a rigorous program involving electrical stimulation and exercise, Duane reacquired the use of his legs. Even though he uses a cane, Duane has made extraordinary progress in recovering from his injury. Many Shepherd staff members refer to him as “superquad” because he often wakes at 4 a.m. so he can arrive at the gym by 6 a.m. Because of his intensity and influence, Duane approached Shepherd Center administrators about creating a unique program to cater to an intensive and extensive rehabilitation. Initially dubbed “Extreme Therapy,” the program would train patients to be as capable and fit as possible following regular rehabilitation. The program would later be named “Beyond Therapy.” Duane has become one of the program’s leading spokesmen.

Following his rehabilitation, Duane returned to work for Primerica. He continues to generously donate additional time to Shepherd Center in a variety of ways. Duane speaks with patients and their families. He reminds them, “Once you break your neck or your back, life’s not over.” Continuing his interest in sports, Duane supports Shepherd Center sports teams and is a member of the hospital’s quad rugby team. He has participated in the Peachtree Road Race Wheelchair Division in the Open Quad category. In the 2009 race, Duane placed second in his division. In addition, Duane became a member of the Shepherd Center Cup Golf Tournament Committee and has been appointed to the hospital’s Advisory Board. He has also given away 2,000 copies of his book “Y Not You.” It tells his incredible story of recovery and encourages readers to donate to the Shepherd Center Foundation.

Duane’s work with Shepherd Center appears to have no end in sight. “You need to come visit the hospital,” Duane says. “Either you have known someone who has come to Shepherd or you will in the future.” To Duane, the patients and staff at Shepherd Center have been a support system that has motivated his new life.

Be sure to see Duane's page on his company's online blog.