Traumatic brain injury survivors face a variety of different issues. While everyone with TBI has different challenges, depending on the severity of their injury, other people undergoing similar challenges can best understand the problems you are facing. TBI support groups provide the emotional support TBI patients and their families need to tackle the obstacles of living with a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury. Support groups are a wonderful way to make new friends and to learn about TBI.
Different TBI support groups focus on different aspects of coping with TBI. For example, some groups offer special separate meetings for the family members and caregivers of TBI patients, while other groups have one meeting for both the TBI patient and his or her family. Some groups focus on helping new TBI patients adjust to their new lifestyle, while other groups focus on offering adaptive recreational activities for people with TBI. Some support groups offer support for people with either TBI or SCI and several support groups offer help to people with any form of physical disability. It is a good idea to check out several groups before deciding which one to join; some people find it helpful to belong to more than one group.
We have tried to make the following list of TBI support groups in New York as complete as possible. Since groups change meeting places and meeting times and may disband without notice, we advise you to call ahead before visiting a group’s meeting place for the first time.
If you cannot find a support group near you, you may consider starting one of your own. You can obtain information on starting your own support group from the Brain Injury Association of New York: http://www.bianys.org/.
Albany
Support Group for Women
A support group for women is held every other Monday from 10:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. with Robin Cohn, 1st Vice President of the BIANYS Board, as the facilitator. In this informal group, women survivors of TBI or women who care for TBI survivors come together to share information, questions, concerns, and to interact with others. This group is upbeat, and offers a positive environment for connecting with women who deal with similar issues. There is no fee to attend.
Meeting place:
Living Resources
300 Washington Ave. Extension
Albany, New York
Contact:
Robin Cohn at (518) 210-5049.
Weekly “Remember to Live” Group
A survivor support group, the Remember to Live Group meets each Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4:00 pm. The support group facilitator is Peter Kahrmann. All are welcome to attend; pre-registration is not required.
Meeting place:
Trinity Methodist Church
235 Lark Street (on the corner of Lancaster; Please use the far right entrance on Lark Street)
Albany, New York
Contact:
Peter Kahrmann at (518) 588-0133 or peterkahrmann@gmail.com.
Capital District Group
Starting in 2009, the Capital District chapter support group will be meeting in a new location (Living Resources). The meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of the month from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The group moderator is Marcia Trask.
Meeting place:
Living Resources
300 Washington Avenue Extension
Albany, New York.
Contract:
Marcia Trask at (518) 658-3364
Amsterdam
Amsterdam Support Group Meetings
The Amsterdam Chapter of the Brain Injury Association holds support group meetings on the second Monday of each month from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend. For further information, please contact Dave Hughes.
Meeting place:
St. Mary’s Hospital
427 Guy Park Ave.
Amsterdam, NY 12010
Contact:
Dave Hughes at (518) 842-0457
Bath
Southern Tier Support Group
The Corning/Southern Tier area TBI support group meets every third Monday of the month, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A light snack will be provided. Call or e-mail for further details.
Meeting place:
Kinship Family Residence
139 Rumsey Street
Bath, New York
Contact:
Sharon Johnson, FACTS Coordinator, at (315) 538-8018 or sjohnsonbia@rochester.rr.com
Binghamton
Narcotics Anonymous Group Meets
A new support group for those dealing with both TBI and narcotics addiction has been formed. The group, Narcotics Anonymous for Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors, is being held each Friday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The meeting is open and encompasses all substance abuse issues.
Meeting place:
Community Options
182 State Street
Binghamton, New York
Contact:
Jennifer Adams of Community Options at (607) 722-5971
Commack
Long Island Chapter Support Group Meetings
The members of the Long Island Chapter and Support Group invite individuals with brain injury, their families, and friends to join them for hope, friendship, and sharing. The group holds advocacy meetings, which often include speakers, on the third Wednesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. All are welcome.
Meeting place:
Long Island Head Injury Association
65 Austin Blvd.
Commack, New York
Geneva
New Support Group in Geneva
A TBI support group is being held in Geneva by FACTS Coordinator Sharon Johnson. Meetings take place on the first Monday of each month. TBI survivors, family members, and caregivers are all welcome to attend.
Meeting place:
Presbyterian Church
24 Park Place
Geneva, New York
The church has handicap parking; enter through the doors under the canopy. Look for the signs.
Contact:
Sharon Johnson at (315) 538-8018 or sjohnsonbia@rochester.rr.com
Harris
Meetings at Catskill Regional Medical Center
A new brain injury support group, based in Sullivan County, has started meeting on the second Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. in Boardroom A. All are welcome.
Meeting place:
Catskill Regional Medical Center
68 Harris Bushville Road
Harris, NY 12742
Contact:
Dawn Marie Ambrosino at (845) 457-5489
Ithaca
Ithaca Acquired Brain Injury Support Group
The Ithaca acquired brain injury support group holds meetings every second Tuesday of the month, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. The group facilitator is Richard Maxwell, Ph.D.
Meeting place:
Finger Lakes Independence Center
215 Fifth Street
Ithaca, New York
Contact:
Richard Maxwell, Ph.D at (607) 256-5076 or (607) 737-1235
Kingston
TBI Support Group for all interest parties
A support group for survivors, families, significant others, professionals and interested individuals in Ulster County is held on the second Monday of each month, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Meeting place:
Ulster Resource Center for Accessible Living (RCAL)
Conference Room.
727 Ulster Ave.
Kingston, New York
Contact:
(845) 331-0541.
Manhattan
Support Group for Loved Ones in Manhattan
The University Optometric Center’s Patient Care Facility of SUNY College of Optometry holds a monthly support group for loved ones of TBI survivors. This is currently the only support group dedicated exclusively to the unique needs of loved ones of traumatic brain injury survivors in New York City. The meetings take place on the third Monday of the month, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. There is no fee to attend, but pre-registration is required.
Meeting place:
University Optometric Center
33 West 42nd Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues)
New York City, New York
Contact:
Iris Rosen, LCSW, at (212) 938-4040
Manhasset
Nassau County TBI Support Group
The Nassau County Support Group meets on the first Wednesday of the month, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 pm.
Meeting place:
Transitions
1554 Northern Blvd, 3rd Floor,
Manhasset, New York
Contact:
Dr. Deborah Benson at (516) 719-3700
Kate DiMeglio at (631) 929-5837 or katerijoaneliza@yahoo.com
Medford
Suffolk County Support Group
The Suffolk County Support Group meets on the first Wednesday of the month, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Meeting place:
RES Company, Building 3, Suite One
3247 Route 112
Medford, New York
Contact:
Kate DiMeglio at (631) 929-5837 or katerijoaneliza@yahoo.com
Poughkeepsie
TBI Support Group
A monthly support group is open to survivors, families, significant others, professionals and interested individuals in Dutchess County. The group meets on the fourth Saturday of every month in the Community Lounge, from 12:30 p.m. to 2 pm.
Meeting place:
Poughkeepsie Galleria,
Route 9
Poughkeepsie, New York
Contact:
(845) 331-0541
Staten Island
Staten Island Support Group
FACTS Coordinator Jan Wollney has started a Caregiver’s Support Group on Staten Island. The group will meet on the third Tuesday of each month from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Meeting place:
Staten Island University Hospital
475 Seaview Avenue,
Staten Island, New York
Contact:
Jan Wollney at (718) 356-2851
West Haverstraw
Rockland Chapter of the Brain Injury Association
An open chapter meeting is held on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be served.
Meeting place:
Auditorium of Helen Hayes Hospital
Route 9W
West Haverstraw, New York
Contact:
Mary Ellen Pesci at (845) 947-2499 or Barry Dain at (845) 786-4043
Brain Injury Support Group
This group for family members and friends of TBI survivors meets the third Sunday of every month, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Meeting place:
Transitional Rehabilitation Center
Helen Hayes Hospital
Route 9W
West Haverstraw, New York
Contact:
Renee Reichenbach at (845) 786-4044
White Plains
Survivor Support Group at Burke
The Westchester Chapter of the Brain Injury Association holds monthly support group meetings on the third Thursday of each month. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. The meetings often feature guest speakers.
Meeting place:
Burke Rehabilitation Hospital
Wood Pavilion (Building 7), Conference Room G-41.
785 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, New York
Contact:
Dr. Jay Dunkle at (914) 949-4045