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 This group meets on the 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 TBI support groups in Virginia 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 Virginia https://www.biav.net/
Abingdon
Abingdon Support Group
This group meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Call for more information.
Meeting Place:
Appalachian Independence Living Center
230 Charwood Dr.
Abingdon, Virginia
Contact:
Carmella Barker at (276) 619-3890 E-mail: survivingTBI@wmconnect.com.
Abingdon General Disability Support Group
This group meets on the second Tuesday of the month from noon to 2:30 p.m. Transportation is provided. Call or e-mail for information.
Meeting Place:
Appalachian Independence Living Center
230 Charwood Dr.
Abingdon, Virginia
Contact:
Steve Halley 276-628-2979 ext.307 E-mail: steve@bisswva.org.
Charlottesville
Charlottesville Brain Injury Support Team
This group meets on the third Tuesday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call for more information
Meeting Place:
UVA Health South Rehab Hospital, first Floor Conference Room
515 Ray C. Hunt Dr.
Charlottesville, Virginia
Contacts:
Carol Ragland 434-969-4597 E-mail: dblmiracle@hotmail.com
Danville
Southside Support Group
This group meets on the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
Meeting Place:
Mount Hermon Baptist Church.
4385 Franklin Turnpike
Danville, Virginia
Contact:
Sue Jones 434-724-7070
Farmville
Southside Support Group
This group meets on the fourth Monday of the month at 7:00 pm.
Meeting Place:
Southside Community Hospital, first Floor Conference Room
800 Oak Street
Farmville, Virginia
Contact:
Rev. Clyde Shelton 434-767-2259
Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg Chapter and Support Group
This group meets on the last Thursday of the month from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Meeting Place:
Westwood Clubhouse
927 Maple Grove Dr., Suite 107
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Contact:
Lorraine Justice 804-819-9238
Jerry Craft 540-785-6155
Gloucester
Middle Peninsula Support Group
This group meets on the second Thursday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to noon and also on the third Thursday of the month from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Meeting Place:
Riverside Walter Reed Hospital
7519 Hospital Drive
Gloucester, Virginia
Contact:
Teresa Ashberry 804-725-2829
Harrisonburg
Greater Shenandoah Valley Support Group
This group meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting Place:
Harrisonburg Rescue Building
1700 Reservoir St.
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Contact:
Pat Wilkins 540-209-0134 (daytime)
Lynchburg
Central Virginia Chapter and Support Group
This group meets on the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
Meeting Place:
Heritage United Methodist Church
582 Leesville Rd., Room 206
Lynchburg, Virginia
Contact:
Gwen Carwile 434-239-7053
Martinsville
Martinsville Support Group
This group meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Meeting Place:
Memorial Hospital of Martinsville, Board Room
320 Hospital Drive
Martinsville, Virginia
Contact:
Carlton Redd 276-632-1018 E-mail: credd.marc@embarquemail.com
Newport News
Riverside Rehabilitation Institute Brain Injury Support Group
This group meets every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.
Meeting Place:
Riverside Rehabilitation Institute (third floor classroom)
245 Chesapeake Avenue
Newport News, Virginia
Contact:
Woody Rea 757-928-8327 E-mail: woodie.rea@rivhs.com
Riverside Rehabilitation Institute Shoreview Cognitive-Communication Group
This group meets on the last Wednesday of the month from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Survivors and caregivers welcome. Call for more information.
Meeting Place:
Shore View Medical Center (outpatient building).
Contact:
Leah Frazier 757-828-8050 E-mail: ldfrazier@msn.com.
Radford
New River Valley Support Group
This group meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
Meeting Place:
Radford University, Waldron College, Room 215
801 East Main Street
Radford, Virginia
Contact:
Dianne Pendleton 276-952-2120.
Northern Neck–Warsaw
Northern Neck of Virginia TBI Support Group
This group meets on the second Wednesday of the month from 10:30 a.m. – noon.
Meeting Place:
The Orchard
20 Delrae St.
Warsaw, Virginia
Contact:
Lorraine Justice 804-819-9238.
Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia Chapter and Support Groups
Several groups meet around the area including Arlington, Alexandria, and Loudon.
Contact:
703 569-1855 for location and times or see www.nvbia.org.
Norton Support Group
This group meets on the second Thursday of the month from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Meeting Place:
Norton Community Hospital
100 Fifteen Street
Norton, Virginia
Contact:
Tracie Hall 276-679-5001 E-mail: tracie@bisswva.org
Richmond
Richmond Chapter and Support Group
This group meets on the third Monday of the month at 6:15 p.m.
Meeting Place:
Auditorium of Children’s Hospital
2924 Brook Rd.
Richmond, Virginia
Contact:
Richmond BIAV office 804-355-5748
Richmond Supportive Survivors
This group meets every Tuesday between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Meeting Place:
Food Court at Regency Square Mall.
Contact:
Ted Taylor at 804-852-6644 before coming for the first time or email him attedtaylor@freepcs.org
Roanoke Area Brain Injury Connection
This group meets on the on the first Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Groups for people with brain injury and caregivers. Call or e-mail for more information.
Meeting Place:
Community Hospital first Floor Conference Room.
101 Elm Ave
Roanoke, Virginia
Contact:
Barbara Iddings 540-342-9531
Heather Witt E-mail: hroberts444@hotmail.com.
Stauton-August County—Fisherville
Staunton-Augusta County Area Support Group
This group meets on the second Monday of the month at 7 pm. There are no meetings, however, in July and August. Call for directions and more information.
Meeting Place:
Mary Switzer Building
Woodrow Wilson Rehab Center
Woodrow Wilson Ave.
Fishersville, Virginia
Contact:
Helen Cloud 540-886-5420 E-mail: hcloud35@msn.com
Tidewater Support Group
This group meets on the second Monday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Meeting Place:
Beacon Clubhouse
3808 Virginia Beach Blvd. (Birchwood Office Park)
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Contact:
Marylin Copeland 757 -816-1857
Tennessee
Tri-Cities (Tennessee) Support Group
This group meets on the second Thursday of the month (except Jan, July, and Aug) at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting Place:
James H. and Cecile C. Quillen Rehabilitation Hospital
2511 Wesley Street
Johnson City, TN
Contact:
Bette Lucas 423-952-1751.