Our Team
Our team is selectively constructed of skilled and motivated individuals, educated and highly trained through the NeuroRecovery Network, specializing in paralysis recovery, Each staff member is passionate about striving to make a difference in the lives of others. Our goal as certified Activity Based Therapy Trainers is to provide a safe environment to help you excel forward in your recovery. We guarantee our hardworking staff will make you feel welcomed and well taken care of!
Paul Pickard
Founder
It was two weeks before our oldest son Christopher’s graduation from Lambert High School and the night before prom…an exciting time of year for a Senior. On Friday evening, May 13, 2011 at 10:20pm we received a phone call and learned he had possibly been in an automobile accident. We arrived to the scene of police cars, fire trucks and ambulances, and were relieved as we did not see his truck. Within seconds, through the flashing lights, we caught a glimpse of our son lying on a stretcher and found out that he was a passenger in an automobile that had crashed into the nearby brick sign. He had sustained a burst fracture to his C6 vertebrae and would need surgery right away to relieve pressure on his spinal cord.
All of a sudden, our world was turned upside down, and after spending a week in ICU at North Fulton Regional Hospital, we were on our way to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta. Our son was a quadriplegic and we would find out over the next three months, exactly what that meant. We were bombarded with the reality that there is much more to a spinal cord injury than being paralyzed and in a wheelchair. While at the Shepherd Center our son learned how to function in a wheelchair, and we were educated on how to live with a spinal cord injury. All the while, we were wondering, “Where do we go next?” as we knew he needed to continue working toward his recovery goals. After much prayer, hours of research and the discovery of a friend, we believe God led us to a center in California. We had visited several facilities while researching our options, and without a doubt, we knew this was where he needed to be. For the first time since his accident, we were filled with hope. It felt like the ball was finally in our court, and our son would have the opportunity to work toward gaining optimum recovery and the arduous goal of possibly walking again someday.
Through God’s provision, the generous support of family, friends, and even strangers in our community, Christopher and his dad spent seven weeks at a facility in California and the experience exceeded ALL of our expectations. We were very encouraged as they met people who had been told they would never make the gains they were making, and it was clear after some time had passed, there was a great need for a facility like this in the Atlanta area. So, 10 months after Christopher’s spinal cord injury, our doors opened to the public. Since that time we have had clients from all over the United States and world! We now also serve individuals who have suffered from a Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Transverse Myelitis, Cerebral Palsy and other neurological conditions.
Jeannie Pickard
executive director
As Executive Director of NextStep Atlanta, the mission is very clear each day….to give hope again and help clients and their families gp forward after the devastation of a Spinal Cord Injury, Stroke, or other neurological conditions resulting in paralysis. The goal is to move clients from compensation to recovery, build confidence as they reach milestones, they were told they would not reach, and to help them become strong, healthy and independent in order to get their lives back!
Jeannie’s heart is to strive for excellence in all they do at NextStep Atlanta and to warmly welcome each person that comes through the door into the NextStep family, showing them, we can relate to their situation as we’ve been there and “we get it.” Not only do we want to be there for the client, but we want to be a source of great support for the family as they navigate after life has changed in an instant.
Jeannie and Paul Pickard believe so strongly that the program offered at NextStep Atlanta is the best program available for optimum recovery as it is based on standardized Activity Based Therapy and grounded in the most current scientific and clinical evidence. NextStep Atlanta is an NRN (NeuroRecovery Network) Affiliate, and all of our training is research backed in 5 clinical settings: Magee Rehab, Craig Rehab, Ohio State University, Frazier Rehab and Kessler Rehab, and under the guidelines of leading researcher, Dr. Susan Harkama. We are also excited to share with our clients that our therapy sessions provide supporting data for research for paralysis recovery through the NeuroRecovery Network and Victory over Paralysis!! So our clients are actually making a difference as they work on their recovery with us!!
Jeannie knows that this isn’t just a business, but a ministry. She feels after experiencing with her own son what other families have experienced, there isn’t any way it could NOT be a ministry. Each phone call received inquiring into our program touches a tender spot in the heart, and once again the mission is clear, to help people who have had so much taken from them to move forward toward optimum recovery. Each time she hangs up the phone after speaking with a future client, determination sets in. She asks God to help the individual and their family and is determined that with His help, our amazing staff and exceptional program, we WILL make a difference and change lives!
David Wright
site director
David was born and raised in a small upstate New York town called Oneonta. Growing up David excelled in both academics and athletics graduating high school with honors and winning a baseball state championship in 2012 while being named 2nd Team All State. David went on to play collegiate baseball at both Chipola Junior College in Florida where he was a Panhandle Conference All Academic selection, as well as Valdosta State University in Georgia. After his athletic career he worked in the Valdosta State University athletic department as a Student Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach while finishing his Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Physiology, graduating Cum Laude in 2018. He also spent the summer of 2017 interning with the Duke University Football Strength and Conditioning Staff. David’s passion for paralysis recovery started while interning with Next Step Atlanta. He then went on to work as an Activity based trainer at NextStep Raleigh where he created and oversaw their internship program in addition to training clients. He is excited to return to NextStep Atlanta and continue in the profession of paralysis recovery. His favorite part of the job is the relationships he gets to build with the clients.
Fun Fact: Outside of paralysis recovery David’s passions include weightlifting, mentoring kids, and anything sports.
Chauntel Whaley
lead ACTIVITY BASED therapy specialist
Chauntel is from Montgomery, AL. She graduated from Troy University in December 2018 with a B.S. degree in Exercise Science and a Concentration in Pre-Health.For two years she has done administrative work for Troy University’s Athletic Training Department. She has also interned for several months with Troy’s Elite Physical Therapy & Wellness Center where she worked closely with Dr. Sabrina Pennington in ensuring the recovery of a variety of clients.
In 2018 Chauntel commissioned as an Army Reserves Officer where she completes a 9 week Medical training program at Ft. Sam Houston and monthly field hospital training at Ft. Gillem.
Chauntel was welcomed onto the NextStep Atlanta team in February 2019. She enjoys helping NextStep’s clients reach their goals and overcome new challenges.
Alex Jabardo
ACTIVITY BASED therapy specialist
Alex is from Kennesaw, Georgia. Alex graduated from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelors degree in Exercise Science. His favorite sport is soccer and he has been playing soccer most of his life. Alex played Division III collegiate soccer for 2 years at Piedmont College. In his free time, Alex enjoys playing guitar and video games along with swimming and other activities. His goal is to become a licensed exercise physiologist in the near future and continue his career working to improve the lives of the people I work with.
Paulette (Pauli) Selimo PT, DPT
Doctor of Physical therapy
Pauli is a Physical Therapist from New Jersey who recently relocated to Georgia and is the newest member of the Next Step Team! Her rehab roots were set in 2008 becoming an NRN Locomotor Training Technician, which kickstarted her passion for Spinal Cord Injury rehabilitation. Pauli received her BS from Rutgers University in 2007 and her Doctorate from Seton Hall University in 2014. She has since worked in various Neurological settings in research and both inpatient and outpatient settings. Her trainings/certifications include: NRN (The Reeve's Foundation Neuro Recovery Network) Physical Therapist, Restorative Therapies FES & Xcite, Ekso Bionics, Vestibular, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (Women’s Health), student mentorship, and authoring the article “Paralyzed and Pregnant: Dual Case Study on SCI During Pregnancy”. Pauli is passionate about helping her patients achieve their new version of functional independence… and having fun doing so!
Fun facts: Certified Pilates Instructor, former competitive gymnast, and proud wife and mother of 2 little boys
Fernando Morales
ACTIVITY BASED therapy specialist
Fernando is an Activity Based Therapy Aide at NextStep Atlanta. Fernando was raised in Arkansas and played many sports in high school where he found a love for Human Anatomy and Physiology. He graduated from Delaware State University with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology. Fernando has a passion for biomechanics and helping others to move as efficiently as possible. Aside from work, Fernando enjoys weightlifting and is an automotive enthusiast.
Sophia Muhammad
Office/client services manager
Sophia joined the NextStep Atlanta team in November of 2018 after being an amazing volunteer!
She has an Associate Degree in Healthcare Science while also working as a certified Phlebotomist. Sophia has less than two years left to complete her Physical Therapy Assistant degree.
