Volunteer Spotlight

Steve Lore

Stephen Lore, a Shepherd Center Foundation Trustee and volunteer, is a nightly fixture in Shepherd’s Acquired Brain Injury unit.

Steve uses simple terms to describe what he does on the floor almost every evening: “talking and offering support and encouragement.” Despite his own modest description of his work, his impact on those he interacts with cannot be described in words. After almost two years of visits to ABI, Steve says volunteering has become “what I do.”

Steve’s volunteering in the ABI unit began after he retired from a law career in 2005. Since then, he has supported Shepherd in many capacities, as a Foundation Trustee, Golf Tournament Committee member and Sunday Services volunteer. He has developed an especially close relationship with the ABI unit motivated by the unique struggle facing these patients and family members. His personal challenges with Multiple Sclerosis enhance his understanding of the patients’ difficulties.

In the midst of their hardship, Steve reminds patients and their families and friends that they are in the best possible place for treatment. “It is wonderful to see patients get a little better each day,” says Steve.

Steve stays in touch with many of the ABI patients after they leave Shepherd Center. With a smile on his face he recalls a Shepherd graduate recently telling him how much more confidence she gained at Shepherd and how meaningful this has been to her.

“Everyone on ABI loves it when Steve is here. He is so kind to the patients and family members,” says Linda Dufour, Clinicial Nurse Specialist in ABI. “We are very blessed to have him with us.”

Still, it is Steve who is appreciative, as evidenced by this sentiment: “People say thank you all the time, but it is I who should be thanking Shepherd for allowing me to give back to such an amazing place.”