A smiling older woman with long blond hair sits in a wheelchair against a dark blue background. She is wearing a blue jacket, tan top, and black pants, and looks confidently at the camera.

Jennifer Davis

Graduate, Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program

  • Resilience

About the portrait

Self-Titled

Hope Has No Boundaries or Age Limits

Photographer

Sky Meeks

About Jennifer

Jennifer Davis, a 75-year-old realtor from Powder Springs, Georgia, began her journey at Shepherd Center after a spinal cord injury accident in July 2023 dramatically changed her life. Before her injury, Jennifer led an active lifestyle, selling real estate full-time, riding horses, hiking, and staying on the go. Following the accident, she spent five and a half months as an inpatient at Shepherd Center and continues to return for outpatient therapy.

She titled her portrait “Hope Has No Boundaries or Age Limits,” a reflection of her belief that no matter your age or circumstances, hope and resilience are always possible. For Jennifer, healing was more than just physical recovery — it meant accepting change, staying grateful, and drawing strength from her support system.

While a photo can’t fully capture her sense of humor or quick adaptability, Jennifer hopes people see in her portrait a woman who continues to embrace life with strength and purpose. Today, she draws hope from time spent with her grandchildren, visits to Shepherd, and moments of joy that remind her she’s still moving forward. Her message to others facing similar challenges: protect your mental health, take it one day at a time, and surround yourself with people who lift you up.

In her portrait

Jennifer included four people in her portrait who gave her the most hope during her recovery: Tom Gallaher (husband), Alison Cochran (daughter), Stephanie Gervasoni (occupational therapist), and Ryan Koter (physical therapist). Each played a key role in her healing, offering emotional support, expert care, and encouragement through every challenge. Their presence in the portrait symbolizes the vital blend of family and clinical support that helped her move forward.

An older woman in a wheelchair smiles and holds hands with an older man sitting on a stool. Both are dressed casually and look happy against a blue background.
Two women smiling and waving at the camera; one is seated in a wheelchair, wearing a pink blouse and dark pants, while the other, in a green sweater and jeans, sits beside her on a stool. Blue background.
Three people pose together in front of a blue backdrop: a smiling older woman in a wheelchair sits between a man and a woman, who are also smiling and seated on wooden stools.
Left image: Jennifer and Tom; Top right image: Jennifer and Alison; Bottom right image: Ryan, Jennifer, and Stephanie