Traumatic brain injury affects different people in different degrees, but everyone with TBI experiences similar emotions. Dealing with TBI is challenging for both the patient and his or her family, but sharing your experiences with people who have had similar experiences can help. TBI support groups provide the opportunity to make friends and learn more about TBI.
Different TBI support groups have different focuses, so check out several, if possible, to see which one best meets your needs. Some TBI support groups emphasize learning about TBI, while others emphasize offering adaptive recreational opportunities for TBI patients. Some groups have meetings for patients and separate meetings for caregivers and family members, while others invite any one interested in TBI to the same meeting.
We have tried to make the following list as complete as possible; one of the groups is in the neighboring state of Maryland. Since support groups change or disband without warning we advise you to call before traveling to the group’s meeting place for the first time. If you cannot find a group in your area, you may wish to start one. Information about starting your own TBI support group can be obtained from the Brain Injury Association of Delaware:http://www.biausa.org/Delaware/wecanhelp.htm
Brain Injury Association of Deleware Support Groups
Kent County
Facilitators: Devon Dorman & Becky Bolt
Date: 2nd Tuesday of each month
Location: 840 Walker Road, Ste. A, Dover, DE 19901
Call BIAD at (302) 346-2083 for directions.
New Castle County
Facilitators: John and Margie Goodier (302) 378-0375
Date: 3rd Thursday of each month
Location: A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington,
Room #1 Bluebird Blvd. In case of bad weather, listen to
WDEL (1150 AM) or WILM (1450 AM).
To attend the pre-dinner group (at your expense), call Matt at
(302) 998-0782 or David at (302) 453-1634 and meet at the
Hollywood Grill located at Concord Pike & Murphy Rd. at 5:15 pm.
Sussex County (Millville Daytime Support Groups)
Facilitators: Beverly and Ed Bell – (302) 537-9016
Date: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays (6 and 20, 2010), 1:00 to 3:00 PM
Location: Millville Volunteer Fire Company, Route 26, Millville, DE
General discussion
Sussex County (Nighttime) – NEW LOCATION & FACILITATOR
Facilitator: Brenna Meixner
Date: 2nd Tuesday each month at 7:00 PM
Location: Easter Seals facility, Rt. 113, Georgetown, DE
For information call 1-800-411-0505.
(This support group will take the place of the one formerly held at Peach
Tree Acres in Harbeson, Delaware.)
Salisbury Support Group
Facilitator: Dr. Glenn Brooks – (410) 546-4600 or (800) 938-4600
Date: 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month from 1 to 3 pm
Location: Chesapeake Rehab (Health South), Employees’ Dining
Room, Route 50 and Tilghman Road, Salisbury, MD;
All brain injury support groups meet monthly and are open to survivors,
caregivers, families, friends, and healthcare professionals.
**There will be no support group meetings in December**