A young man with a prosthetic hand sits in a wheelchair, smiling confidently. He is wearing a beige long-sleeve shirt and jeans, with a warm, blurred background.

Jacob Kennedy

Graduate, Adolescent Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program

  • Resilience

About the portrait

Self-Titled

A New Family

Photographer

ELEY

About Jacob

Jacob Kennedy, a 16-year-old high school student and artist, began his journey at Shepherd Center after sustaining a spinal cord injury at the T4-T5 level from an electrocution accident in Vienna, Austria, at age 14. He spent three months as an inpatient and another three months in the day program. Since then, Jacob has embraced the support and community at Shepherd Center that helped him regain independence and hope.

Jacob titles his portrait “A New Family,” reflecting how his injury transformed not only his life but also his entire family. For Jacob, Shepherd Center’s care went far beyond therapy; it was deeply personal, built on genuine relationships and shared journeys.

Jacob hopes his portrait shows that, while the wheelchair may stand out at first glance, it’s really just a photo of resilience. He believes a photograph can capture moments but can’t fully show the humor, growth, and determination that define his recovery.

Reflecting on hope, Jacob shares how it evolved from an abstract idea to a powerful, tangible force that carried him through both small victories and tough days. His family has been his constant source of hope and strength, and he encourages others facing similar challenges to keep pushing forward, embrace discomfort, and live life fully.

He expresses deep gratitude for the Shepherd Center community — its expert care, personal compassion, and the extended family that helped him reclaim his identity and envision a hopeful future.

In his portrait

  • Jacob included Katie White (occupational therapist), and Brian Tanner (physical therapist), in his portrait because of the meaningful role they played in his recovery. From day one, they offered more than just physical support; they provided encouragement, compassion, and consistent emotional care that made a lasting impact.
  • He also chose to feature Elana Kennedy (mom) and Alexandra Kennedy (sister), who were by his side throughout the entire journey. For Jacob, his spinal cord injury was not an individual experience; it deeply affected his whole family. His mom and sister helped him adjust, lifted his spirits on tough days, and reminded him that he wasn’t alone.
Five young adults, including a person in a wheelchair, sit and stand closely together, smiling against a blue background. They appear happy and supportive, dressed casually in neutral colors.
A young man in a wheelchair and a young woman kneeling beside him both smile warmly at the camera against a neutral, textured background. They are wearing casual beige sweaters and blue jeans.
Silhouette of a person sitting in a wheelchair, flexing their arm in a gesture of strength, with a textured, warmly lit background.
Left image: Alexandra, Elana, Jacob, Brian, and Katie; Top right image: Jacob and Alexandra; Bottom right image: Jacob