A brain injury can be overwhelming for a patient and his or her family. The functional problems of brain injury patients vary in degree and type, but all brain injury patients experience similar emotional responses to their injury. Sharing your experiences with others who have had similar experiences is a great way to cope with a brain injury. Brain injury support groups provide emotional support to TBI patients and their families; they also provide helpful information about recovering from TBI.
Some brain injury support groups emphasis brain injury prevention and the development of new treatments. Other groups focus on providing adaptive recreational activities for TBI patients.
We have tried to make the following list of brain injury support groups as complete as possible; unfortunately, many communities in Alaska do not have brain injury support groups on a regular basis. Since support groups change and disband without notice we advise you to call ahead before going to the group’s meeting place. It is also a good idea to check out several groups, if possible, to see if their focus meets your needs.
If your area does not have an appropriate support group you may be interested in starting one. The Alaska Brain Injury Association and the Alaska Brain Injury Network can provide you with information to get your group started; contact information for both organizations can be found at the bottom of this listing.
Anchorage
Alaska Head Injury Support Group
This group meets twice a month at the Access Alaska office in Anchorage.
Meetings are held at 6:00 pm on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.
Meeting place:
Access Alaska
1217 E. 10th Ave.
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Contact:
Homer
Brain Injury Support Group
This group is for people with brain injury from an injury, aneurysm, stroke, toxin, or illness. It meets at noon every Tuesday at 1044 East End Road, Homer, Alaska 99603.
Contact:
235-6226
Kenai Peninsula
Kenai Peninsula Brain Injury Support Group
This group meets monthly at the Independent Living Center, Kalifornsky Beach Road, close to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game offices. Meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month from 6 to 8 pm. This group also sponsors events, such as an annual Brain Awareness Walk, to help increase public awareness of brain injury and to encourage prevention measures.
Contacts:
Mary or Richard Warrington 283-5711
Wasilla
Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group
This group meets at the Wasilla Access Alaska office. Meetings are held at 1:30 pm on the second Tuesday of the month.
Contact:
http://www.accessalaska.org/support_groups/
Alaska Brain Injury Association
This Anchorage-based organization provides helpful resources for brain injury survivors and their families. Call: 907-563-0880
Alaska Brain Injury Network, Inc (ABIN)
This organization is a non-profit agency that advocates for TBI patients and provides education aimed at increasing awareness of brain injury and encouraging prevention. It also provides patients, families and healthcare providers with referrals to the appropriate services. ABIN advises the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority and Department of Health and Social Services on matters concerning TBI.
Website:
http://www.alaskabraininjury.org/index.cfm?section=About-Us&page=About-ABIN