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. 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.
North Dakota currently does not appear to have any TBI support groups. If you cannot find a support group near you, you may consider starting one of your own. The Brain Injury Association of America can offer you helpful information on starting your own group:http://www.biausa.org/index.html.
You may also contact the Brain Injury Association of America’s National Family Help Line at (800) 444-6443 or braininjuryinfo@biausa.org.
The following organizations can also provide helpful information on TBI resources in North Dakota:
Valley Center
Open Door Center
209 2nd Avenue, S.E.
Valley City, ND 58072
Phone: (701) 845-1124
Fax: (701) 845-1175
West Fargo
Head Injury Association of North Dakota
President: Bonnie Melander
Exec Director: Sandra Riely
2111 E Main Avenue, Suite 14
West Fargo, ND 58708
Phone: (701) 281-0527
In-state: (800) 279-6344
Fax: (701) 281-3878
North Dakota Association For the Disabled
Web site: https://www.ndad.org/
North Dakota chapter of the American Occupational Therapy Association
Post Office Box 14118
Grand Forks, North Dakota
58208-4118
Phone: (701) 221-3758
Web site: https://www.ndota.com/
North Dakota Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association
Web site:
North Dakota Association for Persons in Supported Employment
Web site: www.apse.org