A smiling man with natural hair stands against a blue background, wearing a light pink button-up shirt and burgundy pants. He has a prosthetic arm and uses a cane for support.

Walter Peeler

Graduate, Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program

  • Confidence

About the portrait

Self-Titled

Walt the Warrior

Photographer

Steph Heath

About Walter

Walter Peeler, originally from Atlanta, Georgia, began his journey at Shepherd Center in 2022 after a severe workplace accident. He spent several months hospitalized following amputations to both his legs and left hand, as well as burns covering 75% of his body. Since then, Walter has been engaged in ongoing therapy at Shepherd, building strong connections within the community that supports his recovery.

Walter hopes his portrait, titled “Walt the Warrior,” conveys a message of resilience and the power of hope. He believes it symbolizes the strength of those who have faced their toughest moments and chosen to keep fighting. While a photo can capture a moment, it cannot fully express the courage and determination behind the healing process.

Reflecting on his rehabilitation, Walter emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and surrounding oneself with supportive people, values instilled in him by his Nana. For Walter, hope means a last chance, a final breath to keep pushing forward, and it is what motivates him every day to embrace his future.

To others facing similar challenges, Walter’s message is clear: don’t get discouraged, keep faith, and continue moving forward. With perseverance and the support of those around you, a meaningful and fulfilling life is possible. He expresses deep appreciation for the Shepherd Center community, praising not only its advanced care but also the genuine compassion that fuels true recovery.

In his portrait

Walt included close friends and therapists from Shepherd Center — Stephanie Gervasoni (occupational therapist), Kassandra Joseph (rec therapist), Ryan Koter (physical therapist), and Punam Rahman, Ph.D. (clinical psychologist) — who supported him emotionally and physically throughout his rehabilitation. Each person in the portrait represents a vital part of his support system, those who helped him keep pushing forward, inspired his resilience, and reminded him that he was never alone on his journey.

Five people stand together smiling in front of a blue backdrop. They are dressed casually and appear friendly and relaxed. One person in the center uses a prosthetic arm and holds a cane.
A smiling man with short dreadlocks stands against a blue background, wearing glasses, a light pink shirt, and maroon pants. He holds a cane in one hand and has a black prosthetic on the other arm.
Five people pose together, smiling warmly. One person sits in a wheelchair at the center, while the others kneel or stand beside and behind, embracing and supporting each other against a blue backdrop.
Left image: Kassandra, Dr. Rahman, Walter, Ryan, and Stephanie; Top right image: Walter; Bottom right image: Stephanie, Dr. Rahman, Kassandra, Ryan, and Walter (middle)