Learning to cope with a spinal cord injury may be the biggest challenge ever faced by an SCI patient and his or her family. It is good to know that you are not alone in such a difficult situation. SCI support groups provide the opportunity to make friends with people undergoing similar challenges and also offer the opportunity to learn more about SCI and how to deal with it.
Different SCI groups have different focuses. For example, some groups focus on helping people recently injured cope with their altered lifestyle, while other groups focus on providing recreational activities for people with SCI. If you have the opportunity, investigate several SCI groups before deciding which you want to join. Some people may find that they benefit from belonging to more than one group.
We have endeavored to make the following list of SCI groups in Iowa as complete as possible. Because support groups change or disband without notice, please call ahead to get the group’s latest information before you make a trip to their meeting place.
If you cannot find an SCI group in your area, you may want to consider establishing one. The National Spinal Cord Injury Association, Kansas Chapter can provide helpful information on starting your own group.
Greater Kansas City SCIA
5701 West 110th St.
Overland Park, Kansas, 66211
Contact:
Linda Klaiber Linda.Klaiber@healthsouth.com
913- 491-5667
Another helpful organization is the American Association of People with Disabilities.
Website: https://www.aapd.com/
Hutchison
Prairie Independent Living Center—Disability Mentoring Day
This is not your traditional support group, but an event geared at helping people with disabilities of any type find work or job training, as well as emotional support. See the website for more information.
Website:
Wichita
Spinal Cord Injury Support Group
This group meets every other month on the first Monday of the month at 6 PM. Call or e-mail for more information.
Via-Christi Rehabilitation Hospital
1151 N. Rock Rd
Wichita, Kansas,
Contact:
Barney Hoss Barney_Hoss@Via-Christi.org
316-634-3404
Kansas City/St. Joseph, Missouri
Faith in Our Children Support Group
This is a new support group for parents, relatives, or friends of a child with a disability. It offers monthly meetings with professional speakers, Mom’s-Night-Out activities, and much more.
Contact:
Amie Reeves 816-229-6642.