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 of support groups in Missouri as complete as possible; a stroke support group has been listed, because strokes cause brain damage and some groups in neighboring Illinois have also been listed. 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 Missouri:http://www.biamo.org/HomePage.asp.
Branson
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the first and third Mondays of the month at 5:00 p.m.
Meeting place:
Boys and Girls Club of the Ozarks
1460 Bee Creek Road
Branson, Missouri
Contact:
Eileen Deaver at (417) 830-6356.
Cape Girardeau
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the first Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting place:
Healthpoint Plaza/SE Outpatient Rehab
2126 Independence St.
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Contact:
Cathy Tanksley at (573) 986-4411
Columbia
TBI Support Group
Meetings for survivors and families are the second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m.
Meeting place:
Rusk Rehabilitation Center
1000 W Nifong Blvd
Columbia, Missouri
Contact:
Eric Hart at (573) 882-8876
Farmington
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the last Monday of the month from 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Meeting place:
L.I.F.E. Center for Independent Living.
1109 Sainte Genevieve Ave
Farmington, Missouri 63640
Contact:
Angie at (573) 756-4314 or (800) 596-7273
Hannibal
TBI Support Group
This group meets every second Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting place:
Marion County Service
3175 Palmyra Rd.
Hannibal, Missouri
Contact:
Lisa L. Curtis at (573) 985-7121
Jefferson County/South St. Louis County
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m.
Meeting place:
DRA Office
420-B South Truman Blvd.
Crystal City, Missouri
Contact:
Suzan Weller at (636) 931-7696 ext. 126
Joplin
TBI Support Group
This group for survivors and families meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
Meeting place:
St. John’s Rehabilitation Center
Contact:
Bill and Penni Fallow at (417) 782-1232
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting place:
Independent Living Center
2639 E. 34th Street
Joplin, Missouri 64804
Contact:
Andrea Buening or Dan Rife at (417) 659-8086
Kansas City
TBI Support Group
This group meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
Meeting place:
Hillside Christian Church
900 NE Vivion Rd
Kansas City, Missouri 64118-5398
Contact:
Kathryn Dixon at (816) 353-8754
TBI Support Group
Support Group meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
Meeting place:
Truman Medical Center-Lakewood
7900 Lees Summit Rd
Kansas City, Missouri
Contact:
Dawn Tish at (816) 404-8426
Forming Family Support Group
*If interested in forming a new family support group, call Dr. Terrie Price at the Rehabilitation Institute (816) 751-8832.
Rolla
TBI Peer Support Group
The Peer Support Group meets on the last Tuesday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Meeting place:
Christ Episcopal Church
1000 N Main St
Rolla, Missouri 65401-2865
Contact:
Clarissa White at (800) 890-2867
Sedalia
Sedalia TBI Support Group
The Sedalia Support Group meets the first Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting place:
Vocational Rehab Office
2115 W. Broadway
Sedalia, Missouri
Contact:
Tom Sampson at (660) 530-5560
Springfield
Springfield TBI Support Group
The Springfield Support Group meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. The BIA Social is held the second Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m.
Meeting place:
Alternative Opportunities
2626 W. College
Springfield, Missouri
Contact:
Marsha Milleson at (417) 862-1753
St. Charles
St. Charles County Family & Survivor Support Group
The St. Charles County Family and Survivor Support Group meets the second Thursday of the month from 7 – 9 p.m. Call for more information.
Meeting place:
St. Joseph’s Health Center, 1st Floor,
300 First Capitol Dr.
St. Charles, Missouri 63301
Contact:
(314) 426-4024
St. Joseph
N.W. Missouri Brain Injury Association
The N.W. Missouri Brain Injury Association meets the third Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting place:
4420 S. 40th St. (MERIL)
St. Joseph, Missouri
Contact:
Lori Hansen at (816) 279-8558 or (800) 242-9326
St. Louis
St. Louis Family and Survivor Support Group
St. Louis Family and Survivor Support Group meets the third Wednesday of the month from 7 – 9 p.m. Call for more information.
Meeting place:
BIA office
10270 Page Ave.
St. Louis, Missouri
Contact:
(314) 426-4024
Stroke Support Group
Call for more information.
SSM Rehab
6420 Clayton Road
St. Louis, Missouri
Contact:
(314) 344-6460
Troy
TBI Support Group
Meetings are held every other Friday of each month at 10 a.m., for survivors and family members/caregivers. Call for more information.
Meeting place:
Earthwise Industries
1386 S Main St
Troy, Missouri 63379-2541
Contact:
Karen Shatto at (636) 528-8869
Groups in neighboring Illinois
Belleville
Belleville, IL area Survivor Support Group
The Belleville, IL area Survivor Support Group meets the third Friday of the month at 10 a.m. Call for more information.
Meeting place:
LINC, Inc.
120 East A Street
Belleville, IL.
Contact:
(618) 235-9988
Collinsville
Collinsville Support Group
The Collinsville Support Group meets the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. Call for more information.
Meeting place:
Anderson Hospital
6800 State Rt. 162
Maryville Illinois 62062
Contact:
(618) 346-6641
Quincy
Brain Trauma Awareness Organization Support Group
The Quincy, IL Support Group, now known as the Brain Trauma Awareness Organization Support Group, meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. Please call for more information.
Meeting place:
Blessing Hospital
1005 Broadway St
Quincy, IL 62301-2834
Contacts:
Margie Williams at (217) 223-8566
Karen Campbell at (217) 223-5296