When you or someone you love has sustained a life-altering injury such as a spinal cord injury, it is important to establish contact with other people who are experiencing the same problems as you are in addition to the appropriate rehabilitation. The following arespinal cord injury support groups
that meet on regular basis to help their members cope with their injuries and to make new friends. Some groups are specifically for spinal cord injury patients, while other groups are for the families and caregivers of spinal cord injury patients. Many groups invite both SCI patients and their families and caregivers to the same meetings.
Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers SCI Group
This group meets the 4th Wednesday of every month from 6:00pm-7:00pm.
Meeting place:
Lee Memorial Health
2776 Cleveland Ave
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Contact:
Tara Howe
239-343-2561
Tara.Howe@leehealth.org
Hollywood, Florida
Spinal Cord Connections Support Group
This group meets at Memorial Hospital on the third Wednesday of each month, in the auditorium, from 5pm to 6pm. For more information contact Lori Gonzalez at 954-518-5507, ex 2181 or logonzalez@mhs.net
Monthly meeting place:
Memorial Regional Hospital South
3600 Washington Street
Hollywood, FL 33021
Jacksonville, Florida
UF Health (Shands) Jacksonville Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Support Group
This group welcomes patients with either a brain injury or a spinal cord injury or both. The group meets at the Shands Jacksonville Medical Center at the 1st floor Blue Room in Tower II from 12:00pm-1:00pm on the 2nd Wednesday of March, June, September, & December (quarterly).
Contact: Tawana Brown
(904) 244-3390
Monthly meeting place:
UF Health
655 8th St W
Jacksonville, FL 32209
Tower II, 1st floor Blue Room
Melbourne, Florida
SCI Support Group at Sea Pines Rehabilitation Hospital
Group normally meets once a month on the 4th Wednesday of the month at Sea Pines at 4:30pm.
HealthSouth Sea Pines Rehabilitation Hospital
101 East Florida Avenue
Melbourne, FL 32901
Contact:
Laura Leitz, MS, MPT
laura.leitz@healthsouth.com
Miami, Florida
The Spinal Cord Injury Support Group of South Florida – Miami-Dade Chapter
The Spinal Cord Injury Support Group (SCISG) is a nonprofit organization that promotes camaraderie through friendship, education, advocacy and recreation to enhance the quality of life for those affected by spinal cord injuries, neurological disorders and other disabilities. Hybrid meetings (in-person & virtual) are now taking place. Meetings include guest speakers, topics of interest and general social setting to interact with other members. Food is provided and all are welcome.
Website: http://www.sflscisg.org/
Monthly meeting place:
Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center
1611 NW 12th Ave
Miami, FL 33136
Meetings take place in the 1st floor Conference Room 1.131 the 4th Wednesday of each month from 12:00pm-2:00pm.
Virtual Option:
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/411738244?pwd=MzZoVE84RmN3aHN5Sk1zbSswMDRmdz09&status=success
Meeting ID: 868 8317 5933
Password: 1234
Contact:
Anson James 407-637-7774
Orlando, Florida
Orlando SCI Women’s Support Group
Navigating life after a spinal cord injury can be challenging, especially when paired with unique issues women face. This group seeks to create a community for women to share, connect, and grow together. They are committed to providing a platform for discussions that are often overlooked, and a space where shared experiences result in empowerment. The group meets virtually over Zoom the 1st Wednesday of each month at 4:00pm.
Contact:
Brittany Tarin, PTA at 407-841-8911 or womensci@goscin.org
Greater Orlando Spinal Cord Injury Network – GOSCIN
The Network is a non-profit group for anyone with an SCI who lives in the Orlando area. The Greater Orlando Spinal Cord Injury Network works to help people with SCI find employment and enjoy adaptive sports, and social functions. The Network also aims to educate both SCI patients and the community at large about SCI through a variety of guest speakers.
Monthly virtual meetings take place the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 3:00pm-4:00pm.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/411738244?pwd=MzZoVE84RmN3aHN5Sk1zbSswMDRmdz09&status=success
Meeting ID: 479 678 1976
Password: 1111
Contact:
Chris Pruitt 888-265-4890
Palm Beach, Florida
The Spinal Cord Injury Support Group of South Florida – Palm Beach Chapter
The Spinal Cord Injury Support Group (SCISG) is a nonprofit organization that promotes camaraderie through friendship, education, advocacy and recreation to enhance the quality of life for those affected by spinal cord injuries, neurological disorders and other disabilities. Hybrid meetings (in-person & virtual) are now taking place. Meetings include guest speakers, topics of interest and general social setting to interact with other members. Food is provided and all are welcome.
Website: http://www.sflscisg.org/
Monthly meeting place:
St. Mary’s Medical Center
901 NW 45th St
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
Meetings take place in the Palm Conference room the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 5:00pm-7:00pm.
Virtual Option:
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/411738244?pwd=MzZoVE84RmN3aHN5Sk1zbSswMDRmdz09&status=success
Meeting ID: 875 3298 2107
Password: 000
Contact:
Peggy Domitz 561-247-4504
Pinellas Park, Florida
Spinal Cord Injury Outreach Network (SCION)
SCION meets the second Thursday of the month at 5:00pm. The group coordinates recreational outings, sports, and social gatherings in addition to their monthly meetings. Email rac@custom-mobility.com to be added to SCION’s email mailing list.
Website: http://www.sciongroup.org/
Contact:
Lee Hardin at 727-787-8243 or leehardin@verizon.net
Monthly meeting place:
3451 63rd Ave N
Fraternal Order of Eagles
Pinellas Park, FL 33781
Sarasota, Florida
Mobility Support Group of SW Florida
This mobility support group provides education and support for the physically challenged. It is open to all persons and caregivers dealing with limited mobility.
Contact:
John Berkey at 941-840-8586
johnberkey56@gmail.com
The group meets the 1st Wednesday of each month from 3:00pm-4:30pm in the Rehabilitation Classroom 3rd Floor.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
1700 S Tamiami Trl
Sarasota, FL 34239
Arlington Street Complimentary Valet Parking is located at the Rehab Pavilion Entrance, just past the blue awning for Radiology entrance.
Sunrise, Florida
The Spinal Cord Injury Support Group of South Florida – Broward Chapter
The Spinal Cord Injury Support Group (SCISG) is a nonprofit organization that promotes camaraderie through friendship, education, advocacy and recreation to enhance the quality of life for those affected by spinal cord injuries, neurological disorders and other disabilities. Hybrid meetings (in-person & virtual) are now taking place. Meetings include guest speakers, topics of interest and general social setting to interact with other members. Food is provided and all are welcome.
Website: http://www.sflscisg.org/
Monthly meeting place:
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital
4399 Nob Hill Road
Sunrise, FL 33351
(SW corner of Nob Hill Road & 44th Street). Meetings take place in Conference Room 2 the 1st Tuesday of each month from 5:00pm-7:00pm.
Virtual Option:
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/411738244?pwd=MzZoVE84RmN3aHN5Sk1zbSswMDRmdz09&status=success
Meeting ID: 411 738 244
Password: 0000
Contact:
Ryan Gebauer 954-696-7204
Tampa
Tampa SCI Support Group
This group meets at the Self Reliance Center for Independent Living on the second Tuesday of each month from 12:00pm-1:30pm.
Contact: Anthony Radano tampascigroup@gmail.com
Monthly meeting place:
Self Reliance Center for Independent Living
8901 N Armenia Ave
Tampa, FL 33604