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 Oklahoma 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. Information about starting your own TBI support group can be obtained from the Brain Injury Association of Oklahoma: http://www.braininjuryoklahoma.org/.
Ardmore
Ardmore-Southern Oklahoma TBI Support Group
Not currently meeting.
Enid/Northwest Oklahoma Brain Injury Association of Oklahoma Support Group
This group meets the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting Place:
St. Mary’s RehabCare Unit (5 South)
305 S. 5th
Enid, OK 73701
Contact:
Lyle Rader at (580) 548-5080 or (580) 249-5533
McAlester
McAlester Head Injury Support Group
This group meets on the third Thursday of each month from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Meeting Place:
Oklahomans for Independent Living Resource Center
601 E. Carl Albert Pkwy
McAlester, OK 74501
Contact:
Stephen Strickland at (918) 426-6220, ext. 107
Muskogee
Muskogee Brain Injury Association of Oklahoma Support Group
This group meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting Place:
Conference Room of Muskogee Regional Rehab,
300 Rockefeller Dr.
Muskogee, OK
Contact:
Vinnie Payton Hoover at (918) 682-9103
Norman
Norman Brain Injury Association of Oklahoma Support Group
No regular meeting date or facilitator at this time.
Contact:
Rick Lewis at (405) 321-3203
Progressive Independence
121 N. Porter Ave.
Norman, OK
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City Support Group
This group meets twice a month at two different locations. It meets on the first Tuesday of the month from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Valir Rehabilitation Hospital (Near St Anthony Hospital)
721 NW 7th St.
Oklahoma City
(Park in lot south of the building from 6th Street)
This group also meets on the third Tuesday of the month from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
NeuroResources Rehab
4120 N Portland Ave.
Oklahoma City
(at NW 39th St & Portland on the NE corner of the intersection on the West side of the strip mall)
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 60912
Oklahoma City, OK 73146-0912
Contacts:
Gary Bulmer at (405) 720-7980
Rod Davidson at (405) 524-8953
Citywide Stroke Support Group
This group meets on the fourth Monday of the month from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Call to be included on mailing list or find other groups in OKC area.
Meeting Place:
American Heart Association,
5700 N Portland, Room 110
Oklahoma City, OK
Contact:
Mashell at (405) 948-2134
Stillwater
Stillwater Brain Injury Association of Oklahoma Support Group
Not currently meeting.
Tulsa
Tulsa Brain Injury Association of Oklahoma Support Group
Sponsored by Comprehensive Community Rehabilitation Services
This group meets on the fourth Thursday of the month (except for Holidays) at 6:30 p.m. Please call Mary Dobbs at (918) 488-6165 for questions or to be added to the mailing list.
Meeting Place:
7146 S. Braden Ave., Suite 500
Tulsa, OK 74136.
Contact:
Mary Dobbs at (918) 488-6165