Peer Support

No one understands what a person with a spinal cord injury, brain injury or a neurological illness is going through as well as another person with the same injury.

Shepherd Center's Peer Support Program matches patients with former patients who serve as role models for successful adjustment to their injury and community reintegration. Matched by disability and other common interests, the 70-plus peer supporters who live in the Atlanta area visit almost every inpatient at Shepherd Center to develop the kind of reality-based rapport that can come only from talking with a person who has been there.

The peer support program also maintains a database of hundreds of volunteers located throughout the nation who are willing to meet with patients as they return home from the hospital.

Shepherd Center also offers support groups for patients and their families

Brain Injury Support Group
Shepherd Pathways, Shepherd Center's residential and comprehensive outpatient program for persons with acquired brain injury, offers a monthly peer support program for individuals with brain injuries, their friends and family.  For more information, call 404-603-1415.

Multiple Sclerosis Peer Support Group
The MS Institute at Shepherd offers a monthly peer support program for individuals with multiple sclerosis, their friends and family. Called SHEPS (self help & education among peers), the group provides a forum for people who have been touched by MS to share their experiences.  For more information, call 404-350-7549.

Spinal Cord Injury Support Group for Women
Because women who have experienced a spinal cord injury have different issues than men, Shepherd Center offers an SCI support group just for women.  This group meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month. For more information, call 404-350-7373.

Spinal Cord Injury Peer Support Group
Because no one should cope with a spinal cord injury alone, Shepherd Center offers a peer support group. Volunteers with spinal cord injuries offer advice and support to those who have been recently injured and their families. For more information, call 404-350-7373.

Spinal Cord Injury Support Group for Caregivers
The Shepherd Pain Institute offers a support group program for caregivers of individuals with spinal cord injuries to share their experiences. For more information, call 404-350-7373.

Hispanic Peer Support Group for Spinal Cord Injury
Shepherd Center offers a peer support group for Spanish-speaking people with spinal cord injuries and their family members. For more information, call 404-350-7373.