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. 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 Indiana.
Bloomington
TBI Support Group
This group meets first Monday of the month from 6 to 7 p.m.
Meeting place:
Indiana University: Dept. of Speech & Hearing
200 S. Jordan Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405
Phone: 812- 855-6251
Contacts:
Rebecca Eberle, MA, CCC, SP e-mail: rebeber@indiana.edu
Laura Karcher, MA, CCC-SLP e-mail: lkarcher@indiana.edu
Website:
Columbus
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the first Tuesday of the month from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Meeting place:
Columbus Regional Hospital
2400 E. 17th Street
Columbus, IN 47201
812-375-3685
Susan Baker e-mail: sbaker1@crh.org
Corydon
TBI Support Group
This group meets from 2 to 4 p.m. on the first Saturday of month. Call for meeting place and more details.
Contact:
Joe Ward corydonindiana@gmail.com
(502) 713-3351 or (812) 225-5252
Fort Wayne
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the first Monday of the month from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Facilitator:
Kristin Smith Kristin.Smith@Parkview.com
Phone: (260) 452-4943
Meeting place:
Parkview Regional Medical Center
11109 Parkview Plaza Drive
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
Conference Room A, B & C
Indianapolis
Bridging the Gap—TBI Support Group
This group meets the last Monday of every month from 7:00pm until 9:00 p.m. Bridging the Gap is for Adults (age 16 and older) who have experienced a brain injury within the last year or who have completed formal rehabilitation in the last year, as well as their family members, friends, or caregivers.
Meeting place:
Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana
4141 Shore Drive, Indianapolis, IN
317-627-2178
Contact:
Robbie Schmidt rschmidt3@indy.rr.com
Indianapolis – Southside – TBI Support Group
This group is for Adults (age 16 and older) who have experienced a brain injury within the last year or who have completed formal rehabilitation in the last year, as well as their family members, friends, or caregivers. It meets on the second Monday of the month from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Meeting place:
Faith Assembly Church
186 Royal Road
Beech Grove, IN
Contact:
Bryan and Janna Downer e-mail: jcd46239@comcast.net
Work phone: 956-8892
Home phone: 357-1567
Support Group for Parents of Children with Brain Injury
This group is for parents of children with TBI who are between infancy and 21 years old. This group usually meets on the first Monday of every month from 6:00-7:30 pm.
Meeting place:
Pediatric & Adolescent Rehabilitation Unit at Methodist Hospital – 6th Floor Conference Room (A6351)
Methodist Hospital
I-65 at 21st St.
P.O. Box 1367
Indianapolis, IN 46206
317-962-2000
Contact:
Kathy Munroe
317-962-5009 or kmunroe@clarian.org
Indianapolis – Westside – TBI Support Group
This group meets the first Monday of the month from 7:00p.m. to 9:00p.m.
Meeting place:
Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana
4141 Shore Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46254
Facilitators:
Mason Campbell e-mail: mason.campbell@rhin.com 317-329-2000
Elaine Howard
Jeffersonville
This group meets on the third Thursday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00p.m.
Please call for location and more information.
Contacts:
Ray Maag
812- 283-6093 e-mail: Maggie3121@yahoo.com
Bob Setree
home: 812-283-8545
work: 502 452-9851 e-mail: agm@agm.win.net
Kokomo
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. Please call Russ or Sue for more information.
Contacts:
Russ and Sue Ragland rragland1@verizon.net 317-877-6807
Address:
1008 N. Indiana Avenue
Kokomo, IN 46901
Muncie
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the first Tuesday 6:30 p.m. to 8:00p.m.
Meeting place:
Ball Memorial Hospital
Rehab Service
2401 University Avenue
Muncie, IN 47303
Contact:
Karyn Reichle e-mail: kreichle@chsmail.org
765-747-3784
New Carlisle
South Bend Area TBI Support Group
This group meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 7 p.m.
Meeting place:
6384 N. 900 E
New Carlisle, Indiana 46552
Contact:
Barb Baker
574-654-8559
Terre Haute
Wabash Valley Brain Injury Support Group (Terre Haute)
This group meets on the third Wednesday from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Meeting place:
Vigo County Main Library (downstairs Room A)
7th & Popular Street
Terre Haute, IN
Contact:
Leon Huffman 217-382-4598 e-mail: mlhuffman@mchsi.com
Vincennes
This group meets on the second Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
Meeting place:
Good Samaritan Hospital
Eva Hill Auditorium
520 South Seventh Street
Vincennes, Indiana 47591
Contact:
Mary Ann Cazel M.S. CCC-SL 812-885-3011 e-mail: mcazel@gshvin.org