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 Montana as complete as possible. Unfortunately there are few SCI groups in Montana. 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 can provide helpful information on starting your own group: https://unitedspinal.org/.
Bozeman
Bozeman Spinal Cord Injury Group
This group meet on the second Tuesday of each month from 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. and provides support to the spinal cord injury community and their families in and around Bozeman in any way possible, and works to bring about awareness in the community.
Meeting place:
Eagle Mount
6901 Goldenstein Lane
Bozeman, Montana, 59715
Contact:
Linda Chatriand at (406) 284-6023 or lchariand@yahoo.com
Missoula
Missoula Spinal Cord Injury Group
The meeting times and location of this group may vary. Typically, this group meets the first Tuesday of each month from 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The goal is to provide support, fellowship, education and resources to individuals with spinal cord injuries and their family and friends. BBQs and outings around the community are held annually.
Address:
Community Medical Center
2827 Fort Missoula Road
Missoula, Montana, 59804
Phone: 406-396-8341
Contact:
Valerie D. Maeker, OTR/L, MS, at valeriemaeker@msn.com
Northern Montana Spinal Cord Injury Support Group
This group is no longer meeting regularly but the contact person is available for spinal cord injury peer support or resource information
Contact:
Larry at (406) 265-4508 or (406)357-2011
e-mail: lofat@hi-line.net