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 support group in your area, you may want to start your own. The Brain Injury Association of Louisiana can provide helpful information on starting your own support group:http://www.biala.org/
Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge Head Injury Support Group
PO Box 82971
Baton Rouge, LA 70808-2971
This group meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m.
Meeting place:
Greenwell Springs Library
11300 Greenwell Springs Rd.
Baton Rouge, LA. 225-274-4440.
Contact:
William Moak 225-978-3990, 225-931-4741
Website: http://www.brhia.org
Houma / Thibodeaux:
Brain Injury Education Support Group
(Note: this group may no longer be active. Please call for information)
Rehabilitation Center of Thibodeaux Regional
290 Bowie Rd.
Thibodeaux, LA 70301
Contact:
Annemarie B. Clancy M.A., CCC-SLP, CBIT 985-435-4811
Website: http://ww.thiboadaux.com
Lafayette
TBI Support Group Support
This group meets on the third Tuesday of every month from 6:00 to 7:00 pm.
Meeting place:
Acadiana Brain Injury Facility
101 Guillot Rd.
Youngsville, LA 70592
Contact:
Margearet Seidl 337- 856-1964 or 877- 852-1964
Website: https://www.abicenter.com/
Shreveport area
NW Louisiana Brain Injury Support Group
This group is for survivors of brain injury ,their family and friends, and medical professionals. This group meets twice a month at two different locations.
Meeting places:
Cornerstone Hospital (formerly Summit Hospital)
4900 Medical Drive
Bossier City, Louisiana
318-934-0533
First Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m.
St. Luke’s United Methodist Church,
6012 Youree Dr.
Shreveport, Louisiana
318-934-0533
Third Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m.
Contacts:
Kathy Geyer at 318-798-8155
Ron Newkirk at 318-949-2680
Connie Pope at 318-925-9945
Stroke Survivors & Caregivers Support Group
This group is for survivors of strokes, their families and friends, and medical professionals.
Meeting place:
Lagniappe Hospital
1800 Irving Place, #100
Shreveport, LA 71101
2nd floor Conference Room
Contact:
318-934-0533 (call for date and time)
Website: http://universityneurosurgery.com
New Orleans Area
Acquired Brain Injury Survivors of Southeast Louisiana (ABIS)
This group meets from 1 to 4 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month.
Meeting place:
The Rosedale Branch of the Jefferson
Parish Library
4036 Jefferson Hwy.
Jefferson, LA
Contact:
504-831-6756
Website: http://abigroup.homestead.com
Brain Injury Support Group
Please call for more information
Meeting place:
West Jefferson Medical Center
4th Floor Patient Rehabilitation
1101 Medical Center Blvd.
Marrero, LA 70072-3147
Contact:
504-349-1343
Website: http://www.wjmc.org
The Friedler Cancer Counseling Center’s Brain Tumor Survivors’ Support Group
This group meets every other Tuesday from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Meeting place:
Tulane Cancer Center Comprehensive Clinic room PS13
150 So. Liberty St., New Orleans, LA 70112-2699
to register please call the office of The Professionals, 800-588-5800
Contact:
Mary Coniglio 504-988-2120
Website:
Touro Rehabilitation Center at Touro Infirmary Neuro Support Group
This group meets on the first Tuesday of every month from 3:30 to 4:40 p.m.
Meeting place:
Touro Rehabilitation Center at Touro Infirmary
Conference Room on Nursing Unit M6
1401 Foucher Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70115
Contact:
Janet Clark 504-897-8345
Website: http://www.touro.com/content/braininjury.htm