Print This Page Shepherd Center's Mark Johnson Inducted into the SCI Hall of Fame November 7, 2007 Johnson was inducted, along with 13 other individuals, at the third annual SCI Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Gala on Nov. 6 at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. He was recognized in the category of Disability Activist. The nominees for this category have demonstrated a clear and strong message of activism toward systemic change in support of greater equality, independence and respect for persons living with SCI. Johnson, who sustained a spinal cord injury in 1971, has served as Director of Advocacy at Shepherd Center since 1986. In this role, he works to research and identify disability issues. He also educates staff and community members, organizes local networks and serves as a local liaison to national disability rights groups. In the last 25 years, Johnson has been a visible and vocal member of the disability community. He has served on numerous boards of directors, including the Disability Law and Policy Center and the Easy Living Home Coalition since 2000. He has also served on the boards of Unlock the Waiting Lists and Healthcare Georgia Foundation since 1999. Johnson was instrumental in the planning and execution of the 1996 Paralympic Games, and the creation of the Healthcare Georgia Foundation and the Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund. He has been recognized by his peers numerous times and his accolades include the Spirit of the ADA award, 2001 New Mobility Person of the Year, the Justin Dart Freedom Award, the Americans with Disabilities Act Award and many others. Also nominated for the SCI Hall of Fame were former Shepherd Center patients Zen Garcia and Charles W. Lamb, Jr., in the categories of Entertainment and Emerging Leaders, respectively. Shepherd Center founder James Shepherd was inducted into the SCI Hall of Fame in 2006.
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