A spinal cord injury can be overwhelming to the patient and his or her entire family. Having emotional support is important for both new SCI patients and those who have been living with the condition for awhile. Learning new information about SCI is also important. SCI support groups offer patients and their families emotional support, information, and much more. For example, many SCI groups dedicate themselves to offering adaptive recreational activities for SCI patients.
Each SCI support group has its own special focus, so it is important to check out several before deciding which one is appropriate for you. The following list of SCI support groups in Alabama is as complete as we could make it; you will notice that some groups have more information available than others. In addition, support groups may change or disband without notice, so we urge you to call the groups you are interested in before making a trip to their meeting place.
Chickasaw
Alabama Spinal Cord Injury Association
The association offers helpful resources and contacts with support groups in your local area.
Alabama Spinal Cord Injury Association
115 Alpine St.
Chickasaw, AL 36611
Contact:
Marilyn McPherson 334-456-1768
or
Alabama Spinal Cord Injury Association (ASCIA] Tammy Messer, Vice President
PO Box 194, Attalla, AL 35954
1-800-618-9999
Daphne
Recreational Support Group
This group focuses on recreational activities for both SCI and TBI (traumatic brain injury) patients. Meetings are held at 10 am on the first Thursday of the month at Thomas Medical Center.
Contacts:
Teresa Roberts 251-246-5003
Joy Peters 251-626-6337
DeKalb County
Recreational Support Group
This group also focuses on recreational activities for SCI and TBI. The group meets alternating months on the third Wednesday of the month at 1:30 pm. Call for meeting location.
Contacts:
Sandy Kiplinger 256-498-1023
Renee Hathcox 1-800-671-6834
Dothan
Recreational Support Group
Another group devoted the recreational needs of both SCI and TBI patients. This group meets at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital at 6 pm on the second Thursday of the month.
Contact:
Terry Causey 334-983-9774
Florence
Recreational Support Group for SBI and TBI
This group meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 6 pm. Meetings are at the Dogwood Terrace Apartments’ Community Room, 1502 Marlborough Road, Florence, Alabama.
Contact:
Debi Dean 256-383-5005
Gadsden
Spinal Cord disABILITY Group
This group meets on the first Thursday of the month at 7pm at Gadsden Regional Medical Center. Group membership is open to all: SCI patients, their family and caregivers, and health professionals. Meetings are informal and usually include a featured speaker on SCI healthcare issues and the local community. The group early on decided not to include the word “support” in its name, because it did not want to turn people off with the implication that its meetings were group counseling sessions. The emphasis with this group is on ABILITY; the group focuses on building friendships, learning helpful information on SCI, and advocating for changes to help current SCI patients and to prevent future spinal cord injuries.
Contact:
Jill Gray Rosser at 205-442-7870
Recreational Support Group for SCI and TBI patients
This group puts the emphasis on recreational activities for both spinal cord injury patients and traumatic brain injury patients. The group meets at 6:30 pm on the second Thursday of the month at Gadsden Regional Medical Center, 300 Building.
Contact:
John Hicks at 256-413-8373
Hoover (in the Birmingham area)
Recreational Support Group for SCI and TBI patients
This group meets at 6 pm on the third Thursday of the month. Meetings are held at the Patton Ridge Apartments, 2122 Rocky Ridge Road, Hoover, Alabama.
Contact:
Pat Motley 205-594-4992 or 1-800-433-8002
Mobile
Recreational Support Group for SCI and TBI patients
This group meets weekly. Meetings are held from 10 am to 2 pm on the first, second, and third Tuesdays of the month and on the fourth Monday. Meetings take place at the Regency Church of Christ, 501 South University Blvd., Mobile, Alabama. This sounds like a very active group. Call ahead to get an overview of their activities.
Contacts:
Lucy Haynes 251-666-2052
Teresa Roberts 251- 246-5003
Ron Haynes 251-478-2112
Montgomery
Recreational Support Group for SCI and TBI
This group meets the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm. Meetings are at the HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital, Narrow Lane Road, Montgomery, Alabama. Call to learn this group’s specific focus.
Contact:
Holli Driver 334-290-0646
Opelika
Recreational Support Group for SCI and TBI
This group meets on the fourth Wednesday of month at noon. Meetings are held at the Achievement Center, 510 West Thomas Circle, Opelika, Alabama. The group serves the Auburn/Opelika area.
Contact:
Holli Driver 334-290-0646
Robertsdale
Recreational Support Group for SCI and TBI
Another group dedicated to both SCI and TBI. Call to get an overview of their activities. The group meets the third Thursday of the month at 10 am. Meetings are at Robertsdale Church of Christ
Contacts:
Teresa Roberts 251-246-5003
Joy Peters 251-626-6337
The Alabama Head Injury Foundation which serves both spinal cord injury patients and brain injury patients is a helpful source of information on all services for SCI and TBI in Alabama.
Website: http://www.ahif.org