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Page Index: Support Groups Peer Visitor for Veterans Program Camp Hardgrove Advocacy Support Groups

Support groups are integral parts of the Brian Injury Association of Georgia’s (BIAG) efforts to assist survivors of brain injury, their families and friends. A support group’s most important function is to provide a safe environment for its members, in which there is a sharing of mutual emotional support. The support group is based on the belief that acceptance by and connections with others is critical in the healing process from trauma. Members can be survivors, family members, friends and professional providers.   A Special Program... VSA arts of Georgia is a wonderful program that offers FREE tickets to both Ongoing Events, and numerous Special Events throughout Georgia. This program is available to Support Group Members and Members of the Brain Injury Association of Georgia. Members request tickets through their Support Group Leader. Click here for all the details   The benefits of a brain injury support group are numerous and can include the following: Emotional healing comes through interpersonal contact Sharing of similar experiences helps members feel less isolated and more empowered to deal with daily challenges Encouragement develops from learning about the achievements of others that have overcome similar difficulties Contribution helps support group members feel useful and gives meaning to their lives Education results from the exchange of information and personal experiences Socialization establishes and maintains important connections with people and enhances confidence in social skills Self-expression, as emotions are experienced and released, creates a greater understanding of oneself and one's capabilities Confidence building results as members self-direct the support group and work on the problems they all have in common Safety, in the context of a confidential, supportive, non-judgmental environment, allows for honest self-expression and confidence building A Sense of Growth occurs as long-term members see new participants and reminisce about where they began and how far they have come in their personal journey Return to Page Index   SUPPORT GROUPS (Listed By County):   BIBB COUNTY Macon   Macon Support Group Central Georgia Rehab Hospital 3351 Northside Dr. Macon, GA 31210 Meetings held: Every 3rd Tuesday @ 6:00 P.M Bring a dish to share and we eat first! Contact: Phyllis Dorn (478) 960-2804 phyllis.dorn@worldnet.att.net Return to Page Index CATOOSA COUNTY North Georgia (Ft. Oglethorpe)   Jimmy Simpson Foundation Group Ft. Oglethorpe United Methodist Church 1733 Battlefield Pkwy Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742   Meetings Held: Every 2nd Tuesday @ 6:00 P.M.  Contact: Vickie Hodge (706)375-9520 Vhodge@jimmysimpsonfoundation.org Return to Page Index   CHATHAM COUNTY Savannah Savannah Advance Acquired Brain Injury Program Goodwill Industries 7220 Sallie Mood Dr Savannah, GA 31407 Meetings held: 2nd Thursdays 6:00 - 8:00pm Contact: Nicolas Pecone - (912) 354-6611/ (912)-667-6677 cell npecone@goodwillsavannahga.org Savannah "Grey Matters" Rehab Institute @ Memorial Medical Center 4600 Waters Ave. Savannah, GA 31407 Meetings Held:  3rd Thurday @ 5:00 PM Contact:  Jennifer Jolley - (912) 350-7274 jolleje1@memorialhealth.com Ludy Lugo - lugolu1@memorialhealth.com Return to Page Index   CLARKE COUNTY Athens   Saint Mary’s Hospital 1320 Baxter Street Athens, GA 30606 (Meeting location is on the 5h floor, ADL room)   Meetings Held: Every 3rd Monday @ 7:00 P.M. Contact: Floretta Johnson 415 Washington Dr. Athens, GA 30601 Home (706) 353-1892 Work (706) 389-3550 fbjohnson@mindspring.com Return to Page Index   CLAYTON COUNTY Riverdale   Miracles Happen Southern Regional Medical Center 11 Upper Riverdale Rd. Riverdale, GA 30274   Meetings Held: Every 2nd Tuesday @ 7:00 P.M. Contact: Pat Buice (770) 473-7471 superhope@msn.com  Return to Page Index   COBB COUNTY Marietta   Unlimited Possibilities Kennestone Hospital Outpatient Rehab Center 100 Lacy St. Marietta, GA 30060   Meetings Held: Every 1st Tuesday @ 7 P.M. Contacts: Doreen Davey or Laura Coomes - (770)974-7866 doreend@mindspring.com Laura Coomes (770) 924-7509 lauracoomes@bellsouth.net  Return to Page Index   DEKALB COUNTY Atlanta/Emory   Center for Rehab Medicine 1441 Clifton Road Room 101 Atlanta, GA 30030   Meetings Held: Every 2nd Tuesday @ 6:30 P.M. Contact: Dr. Louise Cording (404) 371-0497 lcording@minspring.com  Pat Gar gar216@bellsouth.net Atlanta/VA Hospital   VA/TBI Support Group VA Medical Center Speech Pathology Dept. 1610 Clifton Road Decatur, GA 30033   Meetings Held: Each Monday at 1:00 PM   Contact: Dr. Inge Thomas (404) 329-4654 Inge.Thomas@va.gov   Return to Page Index   DOUGHERTY COUNTY Albany   Ryan’s Steakhouse 1224 N. Westover Blvd. Albany, GA 31707   Meetings Held: Every 1st Tuesday @ 6:45 P.M. Contact: Tom Connelly (229) 883-3911 tsconnelly@dol.state.ga.us Return to Page Index   FANNIN COUNTY Blue Ridge United Community Bank of Fannin County 4000 Appalachian Highway  Blue Ridge, GA  30513 Bank is located next to the Burger King Call Carolyn Stepp for directions   Meetings Held: Every 2nd Tuesday @ 7:00 P.M. Contact: Carolyn Stepp (706) 492-5308) 2116 Blue Ridge Blue Ridge, GA 03513 james-stepp@att.net Return to Page Index   FLOYD COUNTY Rome   Floyd Behavioral Health Windwood main level conference room 306 Shorter Ave. Rome, GA 30165   Meetings Held: Every 3rd Thursday @ 6 P.M. Contact:  Linda Studard (706) 509-6623 lstudard@floyd.org   Ginger Cochran - gcochran@floyd.org Return to Page Index   FULTON COUNTY   ATLANTA   Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite Inpatient Comprehensive Rehabilitation Unit (CIRU) 1001 Johnson Ferry Road Atlanta, GA 30342   Two Groups: One for parents; one for children and adolescents Meetings held 1st Saturday of each month from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Contact: Carol Mallon, Group Leader (404) 785-4452 Carol.mallon@choa.org ATLANTA/BUCKHEAD   Minor Brain Injury Support Group Peachtree Presbyterian Church 3434 Roswell Road Atlanta, GA 30305   Meetings Held: Every 2nd Thursday @ 7:00 P.M. Contact: Jean Kropa (770) 612-0612 Kropa@bellsouth.net    Jacques and Monique Haust (770) 663-8320 Fax: (770) 663-8017 jhausscappelle@aol.com ROSWELL   North Fulton Regional Hospital Medical Office Building 2500 Hospital Blvd. Roswell, GA 30076   4 Support Groups: Traumatic Brain Injury and Stroke Support Group 1st Tues. 1 PM in Suite 100 Stroke Support Group 2nd Tuesday 1 P.M. in Suite 100 Family Support Group (TBI-CVA) 3rd Tuesday 6:45 P.M. in Suite 400 TBI Support Group 4th Tuesday 1 P.M. in Suite 100 Contact: Stuart Hanzman (770) 642-4236 X41 stuarthanzman@aol.com The Seminole Spirit: A Speech Listening Group North Brook Methodist Church House 50 Houze Way Rd Roswell, GA 30075   Meetings Held: 1st, 3rd and 5th Fridays 1-2 PM (bring your own lunch) Contact: Mark Halvorsen (404) 434-7452 Seekinmotion2005@yahoo.com   Bill Peet (404)255-5145 bpeet@bellsouth.net Return to Page Index   GWINNETT COUNTY Lawrenceville   First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville 395 W. Crogan St. Lawrenceville, GA 30045   Meetings Held: Every 3rd Thursday @ 6:00 P.M. (Note: Church is located at the corner of Lawrenceville Highway and Langley Drive. Meet in the vestibule on the North Side of the church prior to this meeting. Meeting is then decided to be held at the church or in a nearby restaurant; therefore, contact Dennis to confirm prior to this meeting)   In addition to above, the Gwinnett Area Support Group also meets on other Thursdays @ 6:00 PM during that month (except for Christmas and Easter) at one fast food restaurant located around the County. Contact Dennis for a listing of locations/dates/times. Contact: Dennis Stahl (770) 965-9426 stahldennisj@bellsouth.net Return to Page Index   MUSCOGEE COUNTY Columbus   Columbus Area Brain Injury Support Group Columbus Med. Conf. Center 710 Center St.   Meetings Held: Every 2nd Wednesday & 4th Thursday @ 6:30 P.M. Contact: Kay McCoy Home (706) 565-9298 Cell (706) 325-2386 Kaymccoy3@hotmail.com Angela Rozar rozar07@aol.com Return to Page Index   NEWTON/ROCKDALE COUNTIES Conyers   Conyers Presbyterian Church 911 N. Main St. Conyers, GA 30012   Meetings Held: Every 3rd Monday @ 7 PM Contact: Tom Houchins (404) 316-3193 hthouchins@yahoo.com Return to Page Index   RICHMOND COUNTY Augusta   The Brain Injury Support Group Walton West 2501 Center West Parkway Augusta, GA 30909   Meetings Held: Every 2nd Thursday @ 6 P.M. Contact: Patty Goolsby (706) 829-0370 pattyg@wrh.org Les Paul Morgan - (803) 648-2858 mycometpatrol@bellsouth.net (Note: Les also leads a group in No. Augusta, SC. Contact Les for info) Return to Page Index   SPALDING / LAMAR / UPSON COUNTIES Griffin/Barnesville/Thomaston   Lost and Found Support Group First United Methodist Churdy CEC Bldg - Youth Room 1401 Maple Dr  Griffin, GA 30224 Website: http://lostandfoundtbisupportgroup.community.officelive.com/default.aspx Meetings Held: Every 1st Tuesday @ 7:00 P.M. Contact: Mark & Sharon Huey (770) 233-1660 sharonhuey@bellsouth.net Return to Page Index   THOMAS COUNTY Thomasville   “Hope” Southwest GA TBI Support Group Boston Community Center Boston, GA 31626 Website: http://hopefortbi.web.officelive.com/default.aspx   Meetings Held: 2nd Mon of each month. Covered dish @ 6:30, meeting @ 7:30 Contact: Vickie Gipson (229) 224-1680 Rick Gipson (229)224-2852 rickygipson54@yahoo.com vickygipson35@yahoo.com Return to Page Index   WARE COUNTY Waycross   Southeast Georgia Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group Satilla Regional Medical Center Satilla Annex Classroom 410 Darling Ave. Waycross, GA 31501   Meetings Held: Every 3rd Mondays @ 7:00 P.M. Contact: Debra Gordon (912) 285-7994 dgordon@satilla.csb.state.ga.us Return to Page Index   BRAIN INJURY CLUBHOUSE DEKALB COUNTY Stone Mountain "A unique clubhouse for fostering growth, employment, job search skills, etc"   Side by Side Clubhouse 1001 Main St. Stone Mountain, GA 30083   Clubhouse Hours: Every Mon. – Fri. 9 A.M. – 3 P.M. Contact: Cindi Johnson (404) 378-1139 Fax: (404) 378-1164 info@sidebysideclubhouse.org  greta@sidebysideclubhouse.org www.sidebysideclubhouse.org  Return to Page Index   Peer Visitor for Veterans Program     TBI: The Invisible Injury - An Important Fact Sheet for Returning Service members and Veterans: Click Here A WORD ABOUT BLAST INJURIES Brain injuries are the hallmark injury for veterans returning from the Iraq war. Being the lead agency associated with this war in Georgia for Peer Visits for the past 6 years, BIAG has always been there for returning veterans and their families. Blast injuries are injuries that result from the complex pressure wave generated by an explosion. Over 90% of combat-related traumatic brain injuries are closed head injuries. 50% of injuries sustained in combat are the result of explosive munitions including bombs, grenades, land mines, missiles and mortar/artillery shells. Brain Injury can cause a wide range of changes affecting thinking, sounds, sensation, language, or emotions such as: Seizure disorders, sleep disturbances, headaches, loss of balance, blurred vision, ringing in ears, difficulty organizing daily tasks Emotional issues such as mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depression, anger Communication, expression, understanding Sensitivity to lights, sounds, distractions, eye vision Sounds such as ringing in the ears, more sensitive to sounds, lights or distractions Memory, concentration, slower thinking and reasoning, impaired decision making or problem solving   BIAG offers a Peer Visitor for Veterans Program which is led by a dedicated and trained volunteer, a military veteran and survivor of brain injuries. Tom Houchins has been through many of the trials and tribulations the veterans and their families are experiencing, this is his way to “give back as a way of paying it forward”.  He also helps to lead BIAG’s VA Support Group   Interested veterans or their families who need a peer visit or a call may contact our volunteers by calling 404-712-5504, email: info@braininjurygeorgia.org or our National HelpLine 800444-6554. BIAG offers comprehensive support, help and resources to families Resources for our Veterans and their Families Our Hero Handbook – A Guide for Families (pdf file) Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents (pdf file) Living with Brain Injury – Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (pdf file) Compensation and Benefits Handbook (pdf file) Return to Page Index Camp Hardgrove Camp Hardgrove in partnership with Camp Twin Lakes, Winder, GA will be hosting our annual summer camp  August 20-23, 2010.  If you are interested in being a part of it please click on Caregiver, Camper, or Volunteer to apply For more information about Camp Hardgrove read below... “The best thing about camp is everyone understands my injury... I can be me.” Camp Hardgrove is celebrating its nineteenth year as an overnight program for persons with brain injury. Adults and caregivers are served in this terrific program. Camp Hardgrove is the most complete and cost-effective recreational program in the Southeast for the special needs of people affected by brain injury. Camp sessions are called “life-changing” by campers and re-introduce life skills and socialization to survivors of brain injury. What does that mean for brain injury survivors? It means they will experience the joys of camp and activities we take for granted. Planned activities allow survivors with special needs a time where they have fun like anyone else who goes to camp, while their caregivers can find quiet moments of respite. This experience renews the mind and body and reaffirms the ability of those suffering from brain injuries and their caregivers to face future challenges. Camping programs are a key and historical part of BIAG’s outreach and services to the brain injury community. Camp offers children and adults who have survived a brain injury - and their caregivers - an opportunity to have fun, to be with others who understand, and to engage in sports and recreational activities. This experience furthers the healing process and enhances self-esteem. This camp, tailored for special needs populations, is expensive to offer and requires the support of the community to provide in-kind donations and volunteers. These donations, with funding from foundations and corporations – allow us to provide camp at very low cost and many who attend do so on full scholarships (about 80% of campers.) Donor generosity has enabled us to offer programs vital to the well-being of those suffering the life changing effects of a brain injury. We strive to maintain nominal camp attendance fees so every child and adult survivor has the opportunity to attend camp; however, our attendance fees do not come close to covering all costs. While we only charge $100 for members and $150 for non-members to attend camp, costs per camper can exceed $1,000!  We depend on contributions from friends like you to help make it possible for every eligible person to attend camp. Your contribution is needed to ensure that every camper …… and every caregiver…… has a camp experience to remember! A gift to BIAG for Camp Hardgrove will allow those recovering from brain injuries the opportunity to participate in recreational/physical activities which challenges these campers, builds their self-esteem and improves their physical and mental health through the benefits of exercise. Camp plays a key role in re-socialization, promotes physical activity and empowers survivors and caregivers to move through the healing process. Return to Page Index Advocacy Locate your elected official: http://votesmart.org Issues and Legislation: For updates to important legislation relating to Traumatic Brain Injury, go to: Georgia General Assembly  Note: You will need to use the drop down box under Legislation; Retrieve the Bill and select SR 788, or SB 547 or SR 1074.  Senate Resolution 788 (Resolution to create a Senate study Committee on Brain Injury Related Neurobehavioral Issues) Senate Bill 547  (New revenue sources for BSITFC. Content of this has been incorporated into SR1074) Senate Resolution 1074 (New revenue sources for the BSITFC) Current Georgia Laws   Registry for Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries Declaration of Policy Definitions Duties of Commission Reporting Procedures Examination, Treatment, Etc. for Mental Illness Definitions Federal Advocacy: To read weekly updates on the latest federal policy activity related to traumatic brain injury,  posted on the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA)  website, go to their Policy and Legislation: Policy Corner    To access current policy  & legislation through the Brain Injury Association of America's (BIAA), go to  Policy & Legislation: Legislative Action Center Return to Page Index home | about | services | education |  membership | calendar news | resources | sponsors and donors | trust fund | contact Brain Injury Association of Georgia (BIAG) National Brain Injury Information Center (NBIIC) HelpLine 1-800-444-6443 1441 Clifton Road Atlanta, GA 30322 404-712-5504 Fax: 404-712-0463 Email: info@braininjurygeorgia.org The inclusion of advertising, logos or Web site links on this Web site does not constitute an endorsement by the Brain Injury Association of Georgia regarding the products or services so advertised.