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.
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. We have endeavored to make the following list of SCI groups in Wisconsin as complete as possible, but there are currently few groups specifically for SCI in Wisconsin.
If you cannot find an SCI group in your area, you may want to consider establishing one. The National Spinal Cord Injury Association Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter offers helpful information on starting your own support group:
NSCIA Southeastern Wisconsin
1545 S. Layton Blvd., Rm. 320
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53215
Phone: (414) 384-4022
Fax: (414) 384-7820
Contacts:
NSCIA WI President John Dziewa E-mail: president@spinalcordwi.org
NSCIA WI Office manager: Katie Gruber E-mail: office@spinalcordwi.org
Website: http://www.spinalcordwi.org/index.html
Madison
Madison Support Group
This group welcomes all persons with a spinal cord injury. It is in the process of determining its mission and is just now starting to define its goals like social, fitness, learning about vendors, insurance, products, families, political advocacy, and finding sponsors. Please contact the group or check the website for meeting date, time, and location.
Contact:
Monica Kamal Rossa 608-288-0340 E-mail: Xena.Rolls@Gmail.com
Website: https://www.sci-madison.org/
Wausau
Wausau Area Spinal Cord Injury Support Group
The Spinal Cord Injury Support Group meets the third Wednesday of each month from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. The group is open to spinal cord injury survivors, family members, care givers and friends. Participation in the group provides an opportunity for support, socialization and education. Support group facilitators have resources available for individuals with questions or concerns about coping with spinal cord injury. Please contact Sheila before attending the first meeting to check time and location.
Meeting Place:
Aspirus Wausau Hospital
425 Pine Ridge Blvd.
Wausau, Wisconsin, 54401
Contact:
Sheila Henrich 715-847-2826 E-mail: Sheilahe@Aspirus.org
Parent to Parent Wisconsin
Parent to Parent of Wisconsin provides parent support to parents of children with special needs through a one-to-one connection with another parent who has similar experience and who knows firsthand about the feelings and realities that come with having a child with special needs.
Website:
DAWN Disability Advocates
A state wide network which advocates for the rights of all disabled Wisconsin residents.
Website:
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