A man in a wheelchair smiles and embraces a young boy who is standing next to him, both appearing happy against a dark blue background.

Marti Coromina

Graduate, Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program

  • Empowerment

About the portrait

Self-Titled

Keep Laughing

Photographer

Sky Meeks

About Marti

Marti Coromina, originally from Barcelona, Spain, began his journey at Shepherd Center in February 2021 after a car accident. He spent more than three months as an inpatient, followed by ongoing outpatient therapy. Since then, Marti returns for visits and clinical trials, forging strong, lasting connections with the Shepherd community. He lives in North Georgia with his wife and their son, who was just eight months old when Marti’s injury occurred.

Marti hopes his portrait, titled “Keep Laughing,” conveys a message of hope, showing that life after injury can still be fulfilling, joyful, and independent. While a photograph can capture moments of laughter, he believes it can’t fully reveal the determination, hard work, and resilience behind the recovery process.

Looking back on his rehabilitation, Marti highlights the importance of accepting help without losing self-esteem, and the power of persistence in overcoming challenges. For him, hope is everything. It drives him to embrace each day and cherish the opportunity to watch his son grow and reach life’s milestones.

To others facing similar journeys, Marti’s message is clear: keep pushing forward, find joy in your own path, and remember that with support and perseverance, a meaningful and rewarding life is within reach. He expresses deep gratitude for the Shepherd Center community, praising not only its resources but, more importantly, the genuine care and compassion of the people who make true healing possible.

In his portrait

Marti chose to feature his wife, Erika, and son, Issac, in his portrait because they were his strongest supporters throughout his recovery, especially during the challenging COVID-19 restrictions that limited visits to Shepherd Center. Their presence in the portrait underscores the vital role his family played in his healing journey and reflects the love and encouragement that fueled his perseverance.