Grant Brunson had driven by Shepherd Center in Midtown any number of times, never giving the place that treats spinal cord and brain injuries a second thought. “I had no clue what it even was,” Brunson says. He knows now. The 19-year-old spent six months at Shepherd after breaking his neck this past November during a fraternity initiation at Georgia Tech. And he is about to spend a lot more time as part of Shepherd’s intensive outpatient therapy program. Brunson talked about his recent life-altering journey, from the time he arrived at Shepherd paralyzed and terrified to his participation in Project Rollway, a fashion show on June 23 to raise money for programs for young patients.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
A: I grew up in Albany. From age 12, I knew I wanted to be an engineer. I wanted to live in a bigger city. Georgia Tech seemed like the perfect place for me. I was having a great time there when I got injured.
Q: How did you get injured?
A: I was thrown by some of my pledge brothers and I rolled and landed on my neck. I broke my C-5 vertebrae, which left me paralyzed from the elbows down.
Q: That must have been really scary?
A: It was terrifying. When I first got hurt, I couldn't believe it. I guess I was in denial, thinking that I was going to walk out of the hospital in a week or two and go back to my friends and resume my normal life. I eventually realized that my injury was way more severe and that I was going to have to put school aside for a little while.
Q: Where are you now, physically and emotionally?
A: Physically, I have gotten a lot back. I can stand up and walk a little bit with a walker. I can move my right hand completely and I can grasp things with my left hand. No one can actually tell me how much more I will get back because no two injuries are the same. Eventually, I will be able to live on my own and I am definitely happy with that. Emotionally, I have accepted where I am. It is still scary at times — it is definitely tough realizing that your whole life has changed. I can talk to people about being more careful about what you are doing. Shepherd has really helped me. No one wants to be there, of course, but it is nice to have people to talk to who can relate to what you are going through, to cheer each other on.
Q: Talk about the fashion show.
A: Project Rollway is the main event to raise funds for Shepherd's adolescent programs. For instance, we have something called "Fun Friday" to help us get acclimated to being in the community. We go to the World of Coca-Cola, the zoo, restaurants, just to get away from the hospital scene. The money from the fashion show helps support things like that.
Q: What did you wear?
A: Different sponsors lend their clothes for the models. I wore navy blue shorts and a red striped polo from the Southern Traditions' line of the London Trading Company. And a Fish Hippie hat. Everyone told me I looked great.
Q: Sounds preppy?
A: It is definitely preppy. I'm a big fan of Vineyard Vines and that kind of clothing.
Q: What’s next for you?
A: My parents are moving up to Atlanta with me so I can be closer to Shepherd facilities and go back to school in the fall. They and my sister, who goes to UGA, have been a huge help to me. I was thinking of becoming an electrical engineer and working with grid systems, but now I am looking at engineering rehabilitation equipment, working to help design and improve things like wheelchairs and robot walking aids. I realize that I can make something of my injury.
To learn more about the Shepherd Center or support the programs: www.shepherd.org/patient-programs/spinal-cord-injury/adolescent-program.
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