People with traumatic brain injury suffer a variety of challenges depending on the degree and extent of their injury. 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. There a few groups solely for people with mild TBI.
We have tried to make the following list of TBI support groups in Maine 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. The Brain Injury Association of Maine offers helpful advice on starting your own group: http://www.biame.org/listings.html
BREWER
TBI Support Group
Please call for more information.
Deanna Ouellette: 207-989-7300 ext. 134
Meeting place:
Brewer Rehab and Living Center
74 Parkway South
Meeting: Thursday, 2:00pm-3:00pm
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Please call for more information
Meeting place:
Maine Center for Integrated Rehab
Twin City Plaza
248 State Street
Contact:
Jennifer Morgan 207-989-2034
FARMINGDALE
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the third Tuesday and last Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. Please call for more information
Meeting place:
Community Rehab Services
484 Maine Avenue, Suite 1A
Meetings:
Contacts:
Gina Temple: 207-582-4315
Myra Champagne: 207-582-6692
LEWISTON
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the first Monday of the month from 6:30pm-8:00pm Please call for more information
Meeting place:
Westside Neurorehab Services
618 Main Street
Contact:
Deb Hanmer: 207-795-6110
E-mail: hanmer21@adelphia.net
PORTLAND
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the first Tuesday of the month. Call for current time
Please call for more information.
Meeting place:
New England Rehab Hospital of Portland
335 Brighton Avenue, 3rd Floor
Portland, Maine
Contacts:
Penny McGonagle: 207-662-8422
Kathy Kroll: 207-662-8589
TBI Support Group—including Stroke
Please call for more information
Meeting place:
Bayside Neurorehab Services
26 Portland Street
Portland, Maine
Contact:
Tonya Emery, 207-773-9572
Laura Snyder, 207-761-8402
TBI Support Group—including Stroke
This group meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 7-9:00 p.m.
Meeting place:
Maine Medical Center, Dana Center
22 Bramhall Street
Portland, Maine
Contact:
Nancy Fortier, LCSW, 207-662-2261
ROCKLAND
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 4 to 5 p.m.
Please call for more information.
Meeting place:
Maine Center for Integrated Rehab
11 Line Street
Rockland, Maine
Contact:
Jennifer Rodney: 207-596-7555
WATERVILLE
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the third Saturday of the month from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Please call for more information
Meeting place:
Maine General Medical Center
Seton Unit-Basement Conference Rooms A & B
30 Chase Avenue
Waterville, Maine 04901
Contacts:
Valerie Pranckunas 207-872-0910
Jim or Barbara Mansir 207-547-4310