Learning to cope with a spinal cord injury may be the biggest challenge ever faced by an SCI patient and his or her family. It is good to know that you are not alone in such a difficult situation. SCI support groups provide the opportunity to make friends with people undergoing similar challenges and also offer the opportunity to learn more about SCI and how to deal with it.
Different SCI groups have different focuses. For example, some groups focus on helping people recently injured cope with their altered lifestyle, while other groups focus on providing recreational activities for people with SCI. If you have the opportunity, investigate several SCI groups before deciding which you want to join. Some people may find that they benefit from belonging to more than one group.
We have endeavored to make the following list of SCI groups in Michigan as complete as possible. Because support groups change or disband without notice, please call ahead to get the group’s latest information before you make a trip to their meeting place. Some groups like for you to call and register before you attend.
If you cannot find an SCI group in your area, you may want to consider establishing one. The National Spinal Cord Injury Association can help you start your own group:https://unitedspinal.org/
Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living (AACIL) SCI support group
This group is only for survivors of SCI; it is not for family or caregivers.
Meeting place:
Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living
2568 Packard Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48104
Phone: 734- 971-0277 Ext. 29
Contact:
Rick Baisden
RickB@AACIL.org
Battle Creek
Battle Creek Spinal Cord Injury Support Group
This group meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Please call before attending.
Meeting place:
Burnham Brook Center, Conference Room B, 200 West Michigan Ave., Battle Creek, Michigan, 49017
Phone: (269) 345-1516 Ext. 63
Contact:
Karen Halsted 269-345-0229
E-mail: khalstad@drccil.org
Grand Rapids
Spinal Cord Injury Support Group
This group meets from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. once a quarter on the fourth Monday of the following months:
January
April
July
October.
Call for More Information
Meeting place:
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
2nd Floor Conference Room
235 Wealthy SE, Grand Rapids, MI
Contact:
616-356-1861
http://www.maryfreebed.com/Events/Spinal-Cord-Injury-Support-Group.aspx
Flint
McLaren Rehab Center SCI Support Group of Michigan
This group meets the third Thursday of each month.
Meeting place:
McLaren Rehab Center
4448 Oak Bridge Dr.
Flint, Michigan, 48532
Contact:
Ms. Stacy 810-733-7488
Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo Spinal Cord Injury Support Group
This group meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 2-3:30 p.m. Please call before attending.
Meeting place:
Disability Resource Center of Southwest Michigan
517 E. Crosstown Parkway
Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49001
Phone: (269) 345-1516 Ext. 63
Contact:
Karen Halsted 269-345-0229
E-mail: khalstad@drccil.org
Novi
Rehabilitation Institute of MI-Novi Center SCI Support Groups
Two open groups are available for people with spinal cord injuries and/or family and friends interested in connecting with others for information, resources and emotional support. These groups are directed at promoting the physical, emotional and spiritual health of the individual. One group meets weekly on Wednesday from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. The other group meets the first Monday evening of the month from 6 p.m. to around 8:30 p.m. The evening group is topic-focused with break-out sessions for small group discussions. Please call or e- mail Mary Rich for more information.
Meeting place:
Rehabilitation Institute of MI-Novi Center
42005 W. 12 Mile Rd,
Novi, Michigan, 48377
Phone: 248-305-7360
Fax: 248-305-7556
Contact:
Mary Rich, LMSW e-mail: mrich@dmc.org
Troy
Michigan Chapter of the NSCIA
Meeting place:
Americare Medical
1938 Woodslee Drive
Troy, Michigan, 48083
Contact:
Stacey Murphy 248-288-2270
E-mail: smurphy@americaremedical.com