Atlanta’s Walter Peeler, A Symbol of Hope

Twenty-five-year-old Atlanta native Walter Peeler sustained burns to over 75% of his body after a workplace accident in 2022, which forced him to undergo amputations to both of his legs and his left hand. Peeler spent eight months inpatient at the Shepherd Center and is still doing outpatient therapy to this day, a process he called “long, tedious, and needed.” Now that resilience, hope and confidence he kept are now on display for many to see in a gallery titled “Portraits of Hope” at the Shepherd Center. 

“They nominated me because they thought that I was someone who symbolized a portrait of hope,” Peeler said. “It’s definitely cool and surreal that so many people are supporting.”

Since 1975, the Shepherd Center has transformed the lives of people experiencing traumatic prognoses such as spinal cord and brain injuries through rehabilitation and a lasting mission of healing, possibility and purpose. The “Portraits of  Hope” gallery features intimate portraits and self-reflection videos taken by local emerging photographers. Sarah Howell, the gallery’s producer, said they focused on hiring photographers who were women and people of color. 

As a Shepherd Center patient and someone who has worked with the Atlanta photography community, Howell understood firsthand the power of photography and how it could highlight strength and hope. When the idea came to mind, she called up friends in her creative circle, took it to the Shepherd Center, who loved it, and the gallery was born. 

“When you have been through something that changes how your body moves or operates, it really affects your sense of identity and self. And I wanted to find a way to sort of bridge that using photography to highlight for folks who are new to Shepherd, who are coming in and having this experience, that it’s going to be okay. There’s life at the other end, and it’s joyful,  and it’s full of love and humor and strength,” Howell said.

“No one likes a picture of themselves, but when they see what their portrait means to other people, they understand how their strength, how their resilience, how their struggle is inspiring, and the fact that they can give hope to others is a gift that they know they’re passing on.”

Patients, family, friends and Shepherd Center staff gathered in the lobby of the nonprofit to take in the grand opening of the gallery event featuring portraits of people in wheelchairs, holding walkers, or those with less visible disabilities. But one thing that was the same and always present were the smiles lighting up their faces. The gallery will remain at the Shepherd Center for a week before traveling to other spots in Atlanta. It will then return to the Shepherd Center permanently. Howell hopes that they’ll be able to bring in fresh portraits of patients every year.  

When people visit the gallery, Peeler said he hopes they’re able to take away some inspiration. 

“It’s not over, and it is not done. You can get more from just being here, just sitting in the hospital.”

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