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. Some groups are for people who have suffered brain damage from a stroke and some are for those who have suffered damage from a brain tumor.
We have tried to make the following list of TBI support groups in West 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 West Virginia:
Brain Injury Association of West Virginia
P.O. Box 574
Institute, WV 25112-0574
304-766-4892
Charleston
CAMC Brain Injury Resource and Awareness Group.
This group is for survivors and their families. It meets the first Thursday of each month from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Meeting Place:
Charleston Area Medical Rehabilitation Center– General Division.
CAMC Medical Rehabilitation Center
Morris and Washington Streets
Charleston, WV 25301
Contact: Kara Gettman 304-388-6312
Huntington
Huntington Area Brain Injury Support Group.
This group meets the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
Meeting Place:
HealthSouth Huntington Rehabilitation Hospital.
6900 Country Club Drive
Huntington, WV 25705
Contact:
Sam and Anita Mullett 304-525-3112
Morgantown
HealthSouth Mountainview Brain Injury Support Group
This group meets the second Wednesday of each month from 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Meeting Place:
HealthSouth Mountainview Rehabilitation Hospital.
1160 VanVoorhis Road
Morgantown, WV 26505
Contact:
Kristi Williams 304-598-1100
Parkersburg
Mid-Ohio Valley Support Group Parkersburg-Ohio Valley
This group meets on the Tuesday of every month.
Meeting Place:
TBD
Contact:
Sara Rose 304-699-5480
Bluefield and Princeton Head Injury Awareness Group
This group meets the second Tuesday of each month from 6:30-8 p.m. (Call First).
Meeting Place:
HealthSouth Hills Rehabilitation Hospital.
HealthSouth Southern Hills
120 Twelfth Street
Princeton, WV 24740
Contact:
Dr. Chet Fretheim 304-487-8000