{"id":2949,"date":"2024-06-18T12:37:11","date_gmt":"2024-06-18T16:37:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/?page_id=2949"},"modified":"2025-03-13T11:48:57","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T15:48:57","slug":"our-story","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/about\/our-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Story"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"hero-container hero-container--with-sidenav hero-container__hero-small_image\">\n  <div class=\"hero hero-small_image\">\n    <div class=\"hero__title_container\">\n      <h1 class=\"hero__title\">\n                  \n              <\/h1>\n              <nav class=\"breadcrumbs\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\">\n\t<ol class=\"breadcrumbs__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\">Home<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\">Pages<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/ol>\n<\/nav>      \n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"hero__image-container\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shepherd-family-1.jpg\" alt=\"A group of five people, four standing and one seated, are outdoors in a garden setting. They are dressed in semi-formal attire. There is greenery and a wooden structure in the background.\"\/>\n      <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <nav class=\"sidenav\" aria-label=\"Sidenav\">\n\t<div class=\"sidenav__list\" id=\"sidenav-list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/\">Home<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/admissions\/\"   target=\"_self\" >Admissions<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  \n  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/outcomes\/\"   target=\"_self\" >Outcomes<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  \n  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/research\/\"   target=\"_self\" >Research<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  \n  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/education\/\"   target=\"_self\" >Education<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  \n  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/about\/\"   target=\"_self\" >About Us<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  \n  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--text-html\">\n\t<div class=\"idf-block text-content\">\n\t\t<h2>On a mission: 50 years of transforming lives<\/h2>\n<p>For 50 years, Shepherd Center has been on a mission to redefine rehabilitation, empower patients, and inspire hope. From a six-bed unit to a world-renowned neurorehabilitation hospital, our journey has been filled with groundbreaking innovations, life-changing care, and a steadfast commitment to our patients and families.<\/p>\n<p>Explore the decades of milestones that have shaped Shepherd Center and continue to propel us forward. Scroll through our history and see how every moment has brought us closer to a future full of possibilities.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--text-html\">\n\t<div class=\"idf-block text-content\">\n\t\t<h2>A family&#8217;s love, a legacy of hope<\/h2>\n<p>Every journey at Shepherd Center begins with a story \u2014 a story of resilience, determination, and often the unwavering power of family. Our own story started with a mother&#8217;s love and a son&#8217;s unyielding spirit, leading to a legacy that continues to transform lives today.<\/p>\n<h2>A mother&#8217;s mission<\/h2>\n<p>In 1973, Alana and Harold Shepherd&#8217;s world was forever changed when their 22-year-old son, James, suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury while bodysurfing off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. Paralyzed from the neck down, James faced a grim prognosis. But with the unwavering support of his parents, and the help of a rehabilitation center in Denver, James defied the odds and regained his ability to walk using a leg brace and cane.<\/p>\n<p>Returning to Atlanta, the Shepherd family was struck by the lack of specialized spinal cord injury rehabilitation in the United States, much less in the Southeast.<\/p>\n<p>Determined to change that, the Shepherd&#8217;s embarked on a mission to ensure no other family would endure the same struggle.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--text-html\">\n\t<div class=\"idf-block text-content\">\n\t\t<h2>With unwavering determination<\/h2>\n<p>Alana, her husband Harold, and James, along with Dr. David Apple and the support of dedicated friends and medical professionals, founded Shepherd Center in 1975. It began as a modest six-bed unit, a beacon of hope in a region where such care was scarce, a center that would offer cutting-edge rehabilitation and a culture of care rooted in family.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--video-embed\">\n          <figure class=\"video-embed aligncenter idf-block\">\n              <div class=\"video-embed__media-wrap\">\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/shepherd-craig.jpg\" alt=\"Three people are standing outside a building: Harold Shepherd, James Shepherd, and Alana Shepherd. The person in the middle, with a beard, is using crutches. The person on the left is wearing a light suit, and the person on the right is wearing light casual clothes and holding a white bag.\">\n                        <div class=\"video-embed__video\" title=\"YouTube Video: \" data-vid=\"GjMql-noz78\"><\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                  <figcaption class=\"full-media__caption wp-caption-text\">\n            <div>Through personal testimonials, get a glimpse into the journey of recovery, the support provided by the dedicated care teams, and the hope that Shepherd Center instills in both patients and their families. \r\n<\/div>\n          <\/figcaption>\n                        <\/figure>\n      <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--text-html\">\n\t<div class=\"idf-block text-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Cool Timeline PRO V4.8.12 -->\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"ctl-wrapper\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Timeline\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"cool_timeline_1\" class=\"cool-timeline-wrapper ctl-one-sided ctl-vertical-wrapper ctl-default light-skin\" data-nav=\"show\" data-line-filling=\"false\" data-nav-pos=\"right\" data-nav-style=\"style-1\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ctl-start\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Timeline Container -->\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ctl-timeline ctl-timeline-container\" data-animation=\"fade-up\" aria-live=\"polite\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Center Line -->\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ctl-inner-line\" role=\"presentation\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Timeline Content --><div id=\"ctl-story-16716\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon odd ctl-story-right\" data-story-index=\"1\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story Labels --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big\">The 1970s<\/div><div class=\"ctl-label-small\"><\/div><\/div><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-16716\" aria-label=\"Where Hope Begins\"><a target=\"_blank\" title=\"Where Hope Begins\" href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/timeline\/where-hope-begins\/\" class=\"story-link\">Where Hope Begins<\/a><\/div><!-- Story Media --><div class=\"ctl-media full\"><a data-glightbox=\"Where Hope Begins\" href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/timeline-title-card-1970.png\" class=\"ctl_glightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"560\" height=\"371\" src=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/timeline-title-card-1970.png\" class=\"story-img wp-post-image\" alt=\"A graphic with the text &quot;1970s Where Hope Begins&quot; overlays a blurred, grayscale aerial image of a building and parking lot in the background.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/timeline-title-card-1970.png 560w, https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/timeline-title-card-1970-300x199.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px\" \/><\/a><\/div><!-- Story Description --><div class=\"ctl-description\"><p>Establishing Shepherd Center and its patient-centered mission.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div id=\"ctl-story-16717\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon even ctl-story-right ctl-no-media\" data-story-index=\"2\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story Labels --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big\">1973<\/div><div class=\"ctl-label-small\"><\/div><\/div><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-16717\" aria-label=\"A Life-Changing Injury Sparks a Mission\"><a target=\"_blank\" title=\"A Life-Changing Injury Sparks a Mission\" href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/timeline\/a-life-changing-injury-sparks-a-mission\/\" class=\"story-link\">A Life-Changing Injury Sparks a Mission<\/a><\/div><!-- Story Description --><div class=\"ctl-description\"><p>James Shepherd sustains a spinal cord injury in a bodysurfing accident in Rio de Janeiro. After months of intensive rehabilitation in Denver, CO, he walks out of the hospital with a leg brace and crutch. Inspired by this experience, the Shepherd family envisions a new model of rehabilitation\u2014one that prioritizes patient and family-centered care.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div id=\"ctl-story-16718\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon odd ctl-story-right ctl-no-media\" data-story-index=\"3\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story Labels --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big\">1975<\/div><div class=\"ctl-label-small\"><\/div><\/div><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-16718\" aria-label=\"Shepherd Spinal Center Opens\"><a target=\"_blank\" title=\"Shepherd Spinal Center Opens\" href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/timeline\/shepherd-spinal-center-opens\/\" class=\"story-link\">Shepherd Spinal Center Opens<\/a><\/div><!-- Story Description --><div class=\"ctl-description\"><p>Shepherd Spinal Center opens in Atlanta as a six-bed unit in a local hopital staffed by two doctors and three therapists. Dr. David Apple serves as the first medical director. A waiting list quickly develops, underscoring the need for expanded services.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div id=\"ctl-story-16719\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon even ctl-story-right\" data-story-index=\"4\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story Labels --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big\">The 1980s<\/div><div class=\"ctl-label-small\"><\/div><\/div><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-16719\" aria-label=\"Expanding Horizons\"><a target=\"_blank\" title=\"Expanding Horizons\" href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/timeline\/expanding-horizons\/\" class=\"story-link\">Expanding Horizons<\/a><\/div><!-- Story Media --><div class=\"ctl-media full\"><a data-glightbox=\"Expanding Horizons\" href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/timeline-title-card-1980.png\" class=\"ctl_glightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"560\" height=\"371\" src=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/timeline-title-card-1980.png\" class=\"story-img wp-post-image\" alt=\"A logo with &quot;1980s Expanding Horizons&quot; overlays a blurred black-and-white photo of people in suits. A plant icon replaces the &quot;0&quot; in &quot;1980s,&quot; symbolizing growth.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/timeline-title-card-1980.png 560w, https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/timeline-title-card-1980-300x199.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px\" \/><\/a><\/div><!-- Story Description --><div class=\"ctl-description\"><p>Growth, new facilities, and the beginning of clinical research.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div id=\"ctl-story-16720\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon odd ctl-story-right ctl-no-media\" data-story-index=\"5\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story Labels --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big\">1982<\/div><div class=\"ctl-label-small\"><\/div><\/div><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-16720\" aria-label=\"Shepherd Center Moves and Expands\"><a target=\"_blank\" title=\"Shepherd Center Moves and Expands\" href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/timeline\/shepherd-center-moves-and-expands\/\" class=\"story-link\">Shepherd Center Moves and Expands<\/a><\/div><!-- Story Description --><div class=\"ctl-description\"><p>Shepherd Center moves to its current location on Peachtree Road in Buckhead, expanding to a 40-bed facility. New programs, including peer support and advocacy, are introduced, as well as an ICU.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div id=\"ctl-story-16721\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon even ctl-story-right ctl-no-media\" data-story-index=\"6\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story Labels --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big\">1983<\/div><div class=\"ctl-label-small\"><\/div><\/div><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-16721\" aria-label=\"Dr. Apple Leads ASIA\"><a target=\"_blank\" title=\"Dr. Apple Leads ASIA\" href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/timeline\/dr-apple-leads-asia\/\" class=\"story-link\">Dr. Apple Leads ASIA<\/a><\/div><!-- Story Description --><div class=\"ctl-description\"><p>Dr. David F. Apple, Jr., Shepherd Center\u2019s founding medical director, becomes president of the American Spinal Injury Association, a professional organization he helped found. Then the youngest member elected to that post, Dr. Apple, led the then 275-physician-member organization.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div id=\"ctl-story-16722\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon odd ctl-story-right ctl-no-media\" data-story-index=\"7\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story Labels --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big\">1985<\/div><div class=\"ctl-label-small\"><\/div><\/div><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-16722\" aria-label=\"Clinical Research Program Launches\"><a target=\"_blank\" title=\"Clinical Research Program Launches\" href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/timeline\/clinical-research-program-launches\/\" class=\"story-link\">Clinical Research Program Launches<\/a><\/div><!-- Story Description --><div class=\"ctl-description\"><p>The Clinical Research Program launches, later evolving into the Virginia C. Crawford Research Institute. This positions Shepherd Center as a leader in groundbreaking rehabilitation research.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><!-- Timeline Content --><div id=\"ctl-story-16723\" class=\"ctl-story ctl-story-dot-icon even ctl-story-right\" data-story-index=\"8\" role=\"article\"><!-- Story Labels --><div class=\"ctl-labels\"><div class=\"ctl-label-big\">The 1990s<\/div><div class=\"ctl-label-small\"><\/div><\/div><!-- Story IconDot --><div class=\"ctl-icondot\"><\/div> <!-- Story Arrow --><div class=\"ctl-arrow\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<!-- Story Content --><div class=\"ctl-content\"><!-- Story Title --><div class=\"ctl-title story-16723\" aria-label=\"Building a Legacy\"><a target=\"_blank\" title=\"Building a Legacy\" href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/timeline\/building-a-legacy\/\" class=\"story-link\">Building a Legacy<\/a><\/div><!-- Story Media --><div class=\"ctl-media full\"><a data-glightbox=\"Building a Legacy\" href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/timeline-title-card-1990.png\" class=\"ctl_glightbox\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"560\" height=\"371\" src=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/timeline-title-card-1990.png\" class=\"story-img wp-post-image\" alt=\"A graphic with the text &quot;1990s Building a Legacy&quot; in white on a blue background. Behind the text, there are faint images of construction workers and equipment. A yellow circle contains three black recycling arrows.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/timeline-title-card-1990.png 560w, https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/timeline-title-card-1990-300x199.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px\" \/><\/a><\/div><!-- Story Description --><div class=\"ctl-description\"><p>Major expansion, new specialized programs, and global impact.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ctl-end\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ctl_load_more_pagination\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<button data-max-num-pages=\"4\" \r\n\t\t\t\tdata-page=\"1\"\r\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"ctl_load_more\" role=\"button\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"clt_loading_state\" style=\"display:none\"><svg class=\"ctl-loader-spinner\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" height=\"1em\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M304 48c0 26.51-21.49 48-48 48s-48-21.49-48-48 21.49-48 48-48 48 21.49 48 48zm-48 368c-26.51 0-48 21.49-48 48s21.49 48 48 48 48-21.49 48-48-21.49-48-48-48zm208-208c-26.51 0-48 21.49-48 48s21.49 48 48 48 48-21.49 48-48-21.49-48-48-48zM96 256c0-26.51-21.49-48-48-48S0 229.49 0 256s21.49 48 48 48 48-21.49 48-48zm12.922 99.078c-26.51 0-48 21.49-48 48s21.49 48 48 48 48-21.49 48-48c0-26.509-21.491-48-48-48zm294.156 0c-26.51 0-48 21.49-48 48s21.49 48 48 48 48-21.49 48-48c0-26.509-21.49-48-48-48zM108.922 60.922c-26.51 0-48 21.49-48 48s21.49 48 48 48 48-21.49 48-48-21.491-48-48-48z\"\/>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/svg> Loading<\/span> <span class=\"default_state\">Load More<\/span><\/button><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--text-html\">\n\t<div class=\"idf-block text-content\">\n\t\t<h2>It&#8217;s different here<\/h2>\n<p>From its humble beginnings, Shepherd Center has always been more than just a hospital. It&#8217;s a place where compassion, hope, and a family-centered approach to care are woven into every aspect of the patient experience.<\/p>\n<p>Fifty years later, Alana Shepherd, known affectionately as the &#8220;mama on fire,&#8221; continues to inspire patients and staff with her unwavering dedication and infectious optimism. Her message to every new arrival resonates throughout our halls: &#8220;It&#8217;s different here. You&#8217;re going to get better.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover the inspiring journey of Shepherd Center, founded by the Shepherd family, offering hope and world-class care to patients and 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This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.1 (Yoast SEO v25.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Our Story | Shepherd Center<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the inspiring journey of Shepherd Center, founded by the Shepherd family, offering hope and world-class care to patients and families.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/about\/our-story\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Our Story\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover the inspiring journey of Shepherd Center, founded by the Shepherd family, offering hope and world-class care to patients and families.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/about\/our-story\/\" 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