A spinal cord injury can be frighteningly 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. Some groups are dedicated to a special segment of the SCI population like women, or men, or the caregivers of SCI patients. The following list of SCI support groups in Maryland 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.
If you cannot find a support group in your area, you may want to consider starting one of your own. The Spinal Cord Injury Network has helpful information on starting your own group.
SCI Network of Metropolitan Washington, D.C., NSCIA
14 Wolf Drive
Silver Spring, Maryland, 20904
Phone: 240- 429-6141
Contacts:
Kimball Gray e-mail: KimballG@ecny.org
David Burds e-mail: davidb@ecny.org
Website: http://www.spinalcordinjury.net/
SCI Network Spouses & Partners Support Group
Contact:
Lynn Towle e-mail: lynn.t@starpower.net
This group, which supports the spouses and partners of SCI patients, meets once a month on variable schedule at restaurants and other sites in the Metropolitan Washington, D. C.
Baltimore
Kernan Hospital Caregiver’s Support Group
This group for caregivers of people with any type of illness or disability meets the first Tuesday of each month from noon to1 p.m.
Meeting place:
Kernan Hospital
(Conference Room C, Terrace Level)
2200 Kernan Drive,
Baltimore, Maryland, 21207
Phone: 410-448-6307
Contact:
Jenny Johnson e-mail: JJOHNSON@KERNAN.UMM.EDU
Eldersburg
Caring Communities
Not a traditional support group, Caring Communities is an organization dedicated to offering education and assistance to people with any type of disability in the Maryland, D.C, and Virginia areas. Respite care is one of the services offered by Caring Communities.
Address:
Mona Freedman, RN
Executive Director
5360-E Enterprise St.
Eldersburg, Maryland 21784
Office: 410-549-5707
Toll Free: 1(866)CARING-4
Fax:410-549-6467
E-mail: info@caringcommunities.org
Rockville
SCI/MS Support Group – Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital
This group for both SCI/D and MS survivors and care givers is open to everyone that is interested. It meets on various Wednesdays from 12:00 noon-1:30 p.m. The meetings may include a guest speaker and/or a discussion.
Meeting place:
Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland
9909 Medical Center Dr,
Rockville, Maryland 20850-6361
Phone: 240-864-6000
Contacts:
Laura Pickoff or Lisa Mathews
E-mail: sci-ms_support@adventisthealthcare.com
Sykesville
From One Family to Another
This group was founded in 2005, after the founder’s relative suffered a spinal cord injury. This is not a traditional support group, but a grass-roots-organization aimed at raising funds to directly help young adult SCI patients in Maryland’s Howard and Carroll counties. The group provides medical equipment and vital information to SCI patients and hopes to continue to expand its services.
Address:
From One Family to Another
P.O. Box 1685
Sykesville MD 21784
Contact:
877-FOFTA-MD
Fax: 888-247-8598
E-mail: Info@fofta.org