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. Some groups are dedicated to a special segment of the SCI population like women, or men. The following list of support groups in New Hampshire is as complete as we could make it; many of the support groups in New Hampshire are for people with any disability, not just SCI. 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 New Hampshire Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association can provide helpful information on starting your own group.
New Hampshire Chapter, NSCIA, associated with Granite State Independent Living (GSIL)
21 Chenell Drive
Concord, New Hampshire, 03301
Phone: (603) 225-3304
Fax: (603) 228-9680
Contact:
Debbie Krider at debbie@gscil.org
Website: ;
If you would like to join a GSIL peer group, send a contact or call (800) 826-3700 (888-396-3459 TTY), extension 1304 and speak with Pam Locke, Peer Group Coordinator. If you would like to try a group for a meeting or two, feel free to drop by one of our scheduled meetings.
Peer Group Activities
GSIL peer groups are open to all people regardless of disability status. For more information, call (800) 826-3700 ext 1304 or e-mail us at info@gscil.org for more information.
Concord
Concord Peer Group
This group is for people with any disability. It meets on the third Monday of each month from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Meeting place:
Granite State Independent Living
21 Chenell Drive
Concord, New Hampshire 03301
Contact:
For more information, call (800) 826-3700 ext. 1304 or e-mail info@gscil.org.
Keene
Keene Peer Group
This group is for people with any disability. It meets on the last Friday of each month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Meeting place:
Cleveland Building
21 Roxbury Plaza
Keene, New Hampshire
Contact:
For more information, call (800) 826-3700 ext. 1304 or e-mail info@gscil.org.
Manchester
Manchester Peer Group
This group is for people with any disability. It meets on the second Thursday of each month from 6 – 8 p.m.
Meeting place:
245 N. Main Street.
Manchester, New Hampshire
Contact:
For more information, call (800) 826-3700 ext. 1304 or e-mail info@gscil.org.
Nashua
Nashua Peer Group
This group is for people with any disability. It meets on the second Tuesday of every other month from 6 to 8 p.m.
Meeting place:
583 W. Hollis Street
Nashua, New Hampshire
Nashua Advocacy
This group meets on the first Monday of each month from 2 to 4 p.m.
Meeting place:
Nashua Public Library, Hunt Room
2 Court Street
Nashua, New Hampshire
Contact:
For more information, call (800) 826-3700 ext. 1304 or e-mail info@gscil.org.
Plymouth
Plymouth Peer Group
This group is for people with any disability. It meets on the first Friday each month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Meeting place:
Whole Village
258 Highland Street
Plymouth, New Hampshire
Contact:
For more information, call (800) 826-3700 ext. 1304 or e-mail info@gscil.org.
Seacoast
Seacoast Advocates for Independent Living (Dover)
This group is for people with any disability. It meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m.
Meeting place:
Call for meeting location and more information.
Contact: For more information, call (800) 826-3700 ext. 1304 or e-mail info@gscil.org.
Woodsville
Woodsville Peer Group
This group is for people with any disability. It meets on the fourth Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m.
Meeting place:
Opera Block
65 Central Street
Woodsville, New Hampshire
Contact:
For more information, call (800) 826-3700 ext. 1304 or e-mail us at info@gscil.org.