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Y o u   a r e   n o t   a l o n e !

Support groups are integral parts of the Brian Injury Association of Georgia's (BIAG) efforts to assist survivors of brain injury (ABI/TBI) 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.  If you are interested in starting a Support Group in your area and become affiliated with BIAG, please contact us! We will  provide you instructions on "How to Start a Support Group" and help you get one started!  We also offer Support Group Leadership training each year for our group leaders and their facilitators.   Click on the the Cook Book image to the left to learn a delicious way to support BIAG! CONTACT BIAG TO PURCHASE YOUR WATER BOTTLE OR TO GIVE AS A GIFT 404-712-5504 OR jane@braininjurygeorgia.org BIAG would like to thank Gwen McKee and the Jolly Foundation for their generous donation towards helping support our efforts! 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. 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 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! Contacts: Phyllis Dorn (478) 960-2804 dornphyllis@yahoo.com Rachael Devito rdevito100@windstream.net 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   CHATHAM COUNTY Savannah Advance Acquired Brain Injury Program Goodwill Industries 7220 Sallie Mood Dr Savannah, GA 31407 Meetings held: 2nd Thursdays 6:00 - 8:00pm Contacts: Nicolas Pecone - (912) 354-6611/ (912)-667-6677 cell npecone@goodwillsavannahga.org Paula Ruehling - (912)354-6611 pruehling@@goodwillsavannahga.org Grey Matters Rehab Institute @ Memorial Medical Center 4700 Waters Ave. Savannah, GA 31407 Meetings Held:  3rd Thursday @ 5:00 PM Contacts: Jennifer Jolley - (912) 350-7274 jolleje1@memorialhealth.com Ludy Lugo - lugolu1@memorialhealth.com CLARKE COUNTY Athens   Saint Mary's Hospital 1230 Baxter Street Athens, GA 30606 (5h floor, ADL room)   Meetings Held: Every 3rd Monday @ 7:00 P.M. Contacts:  Floretta Johnson (706) 353-1892 or (706) 389-3550  fbjohnson0521@att.net Janice Ward - (706)548-4397 jward180@charter.net 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 (678) 773-4930 superhope@msn.com   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: Email to: supportgroup@mindspring.com Laura Coomes (770) 924-7509 lauracoomes@bellsouth.net Doreen Davey - (770)974-7866 doreend@mindspring.com DEKALB COUNTY Atlanta Atlanta/Emory Center for Rehab Medicine 1441 Clifton Road Room 101 Atlanta, GA 30030   Meetings Held: Every 2nd Tuesday @ 6:30 P.M. Contacts: Carl Griffith - (404)409-9339 Pat Gartrell - (404)524-6097 gar216@bellsouth.net Esther Connor - (404)731-5958 no1uno9@hotmail.com Atlanta/VA Hospital VA/TBI Support Group VA Medical Center Speech Pathology Dept. 1610 Clifton Road Decatur, GA 30033   Meetings Held: Each 2nd Monday at 1:00 PM If the 2nd Monday falls on a Holiday the group will meet the following Monday. Contact: Dr. Inge Thomas (404) 329-4654 Inge.Thomas@va.gov   DOUGHERTY COUNTY Albany   For meeting information Contact: Tom Connelly (229) 430-3723 tsconnelly@dol.state.ga.us 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 @ 6:00 P.M. Contact: Carolyn Stepp (706) 492-5308) carolynstepp@etcmail.com 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. Contacts: Linda Studard (706) 509-6623 lstudard@floyd.org   Ginger Cochran - gcochran@floyd.org   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 Call Carol first to verify meeting time and date Contact: Carol Mallon, Group Leader (404) 785-4452 Carol.mallon@choa.org ATLANTA/BUCKHEAD Mild Brain Injury Support Group - Buckhead Peachtree Presbyterian Church 3434 Roswell Road Atlanta, GA 30305  http://www.mildbraininjurysupport.org/ Meetings Held: Every 2nd Thursday @ 7:00 P.M. Contacts: Jean Kropa (770) 612-0612 Kropa@bellsouth.net    Jacques and Monique Haust (770) 663-8320 jacqueshauss@att.net ROSWELL North Fulton Support Group St. David's Episcopal Church 1015 Old Roswell Road Roswell, GA 30076 Location of Support Group Meetings click here North Fulton Brain Injury Family Group Meeting All persons, family and caregivers with any history of brain injury are invited Located in the Old Parish Hall 3rd Tuesday of each Month 6:45 PM - 8:00 PM Survivors Brain Injury Support Group Located in the Education Building Caregivers may can wait and meet informally in the adjoining classroom 1st Thursday of each Month 1:00 PM 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 Purpose and Mission (pdf)   Meetings Held: 1st, 3rd and 5th Fridays 1-2 PM (bring your own lunch) Contacts: Mark Halvorsen (404) 434-7452 Seekinmotion2012@gmail.com Bill Peet (404)255-5145 bpeet@bellsouth.net GORDON COUNTY  Calhoun "Divine Restoration Abounds" Cup of Life Worship Center 108 Newton Road Calhoun, GA Meetings Held:  3rd Thursday of each month 6:30 - 8:00 PM Contacts: Leslie DePerro (706)263-6961 Ldeperro07@aim.com Judi Collins (706)548-2660 cjudi@bellsouth.net GWINNETT COUNTY Lawrenceville Gwinnett Support Group 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) 965-9726 stahldennisj@bellsouth.net   MUSCOGEE COUNTY Columbus   Columbus Area Brain Injury Support Group Columbus Med. Conf. Center 710 Center St. Columbus, GA 31909   Meetings Held: Every 4th Thursday @ 6:30 P.M. Contacts: Kay McCoy Home (706) 565-9298 Cell (706) 325-2386 Kaymccoy3@hotmail.com Marguerite McKinney mmmckinney1@juno.com   NEWTON/ROCKDALE COUNTIES Conyers   Brain Injury Association of Newton/Rockdale 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   RICHMOND COUNTY Augusta The Brain Injury Support Group NeuroRestorative of GA 2501 Center West Parkway Augusta, GA 30909 Meetings Held: Every 2nd Thursday @ 6 P.M. Contacts: Patty Goolsby (706) 829-0370 pattyg@wrh.org Les Paul Morgan (803) 279-9611 mycometpatrol@bellsouth.net (Note: Les also leads a group in No. Augusta, SC. Contact Les for info)   SPALDING / LAMAR / UPSON COUNTIES Griffin/Barnesville/Thomaston   Lost and Found Support Group First United Methodist Church CEC Bldg - Youth Room 1401 Maple Dr Griffin, GA 30224 Website: www.lostandfoundtbi.org Meetings Held: Every 1st Tuesday @ 7:00 P.M. Contact: Mark & Sharon Huey (770) 233-1660 sharonhuey@bellsouth.net   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 Contacts: Vickie Gipson (229) 224-1680 vickygipson35@yahoo.com Rick Gipson (229)224-2852 rickygipson54@yahoo.com   WARE COUNTY Waycross   Southeast Georgia Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group Contact: Debra Gordon (912) 309-3765 dgordon@satilla.csb.state.ga.us

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