WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND A TBI SUPPORT GROUP

Living with a brain injury can be lonely. It helps to know you are not alone – whether you are an individual who’s been affected by a brain injury or a family caregiver. Many people who go to a support group express relief in finally finding others who “get it.”

 

Benefits of a Support Group

For individuals affected by a brain injury:

• • • • Be accepted for who you are now – not for who you were
      • Learn information that is relevant and understandable
      • Express your feelings in a place where they will be supported, accepted, and understood
      • Provide others an opportunity to be understood
      • Practice social skills with people who will be OK with “slip-ups”

For family members and loved ones:

• • • • Find a forum for problem-solving
      • Get a better handle on managing cognitive & behavioral changes
      • Discuss and learn about individual and family adjustment issues

Finding the right support group:

• • • • Attend the support group at least twice before deciding if it’s for you. The mix of people who show up at any given meeting will influence the feel of the get-together.
      • Introduce yourself to the leader or facilitator and let them know if you have any special needs such as difficulty speaking, hearing or if you just feel shy.
      • Try more than one group if you have a choice in your community. Every group has its own style.

There are support groups throughout Kansas and the Greater Kansas City Metro area. Support group leadership varies—some are run by individuals who’ve been affected by brain injury, or have a family member with a brain injury. Some support groups are led by healthcare professionals  working in the brain injury field. Although  groups may receive technical assistance from BIAKS-GKC, they are independent  and do not necessarily reflect the views or official positions of BIAKS-GKC. See below for a list of virtual and statewide support groups.

Facing a brain injury is a difficult challenge. The Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City is here to help. Contact us at (800) 444-6443 or (913) 754-8883.

 

SUPPORT GROUPS IN KANSAS & GREATER KC

Due to the constant Changes in Support groups, we recommend calling or emailing the contact person to verify group location and to get answers to any questions you may have regarding the group.

 

VIRTUAL-ONLY MEETINGS

Name: Survivors & Their Families
Meeting Date & Time:  2nd Tuesday of the Month
Contact Person: Brent Clark
Phone: (913) 269-2574
Email: tbicoach4u@gmail.com
To join by video: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/supportgroups0
To join by phone: 1-844-855-4444. When prompted, the access code is 455 241 followed by the # sign

 

IN-PERSON MEETINGS (SOME MAY HAVE A VIRTUAL OPTION)

EMPORIA

Name: Emporia State Brain Injury Support Group (in-person)
Meeting Date & Time: Only meets while the college is in session. Contact for Dates & Times
Contact Person: : Emporia State University School of Counselor Education and Rehabilitation
Phone: (620) 341-5799
Email: none listed
Location: The Earl Center
Address: 1601 State Avenue, Emporia, Kansas 66801

 

HAYS

Name: Brain Injury Support Group (in-person)
Meeting Date & Time: 2nd & 4th Monday of the Month, 2:00-3:00pm
Contact Person: Celia Earle
Phone: (785) 625-6942
Email: celiae@linkinc.org
Location: Link Inc.
Address: 2431 E 13th Street, Hays, Kansas 67601

 

HUTCHINSON

Name: Hutchinson Brain Injury Support Group (in-person & virtual)
Meeting Date & Time:  2nd Wednesday of every Month, 1:00-2:00pm
Contact Person: Emily Ptacek 
Phone: (620) 680-0508
Email: emily.ptacek0348@gmail.com
Location: Hutchinson Public Library, Room 2
Address: 901 N Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501

 

INDEPENDENCE, MO

Name: Males-Only Brain injury Support Group (in-person & virtual)
Meeting Date & Time: 3rd Wednesday of the Month, 6:30-8:00pm
Contact Person: Jason Miller
Phone: (816) 509-1463
Email:  jasonflc@hotmail.com
Location: CenterPoint Medical Center Room – Auditorium
Address: 19600 East 39th Street, Independence, Missouri 64057

Name: Independence Support Group (in-person)
Meeting Date & Time:  1st Tuesday of the Month, 6:00-7:30pm
Contact Person: Brain Injury Association of Missouri
Phone: (800) 444-6443
Email: info@biamo.org
Location: CSL
Address: 103 N Main Street, Independence, Missouri 64050

 

KANSAS CITY, MO

Name: Whole Person Brain Injury Support Group (in-person & virtual)
Meeting Date & Time: 2nd Thursday of the month, 1:00-2:00pm
Contact Person: Sarah Carlson
Phone: none listed
Email: scarlson@thewholeperson.org.
Location: The Whole Person
Address: 3710 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111 

 

LAWRENCE

Name: Pending Confirmation of new Location & Contact
Meeting Date & Time: 2nd Friday of the Month, 4:00-6:00pm
Contact Person: TBA
Phone: TBA
Email: TBA
Location: TBA
Address: TBA

 

MANHATTAN

Name: Brain Injury Support Group (in-person)
Meeting Date & Time: 4th Thursday of the Month, 5:30-6:30pm
Contact Person: Carrie Fratecelli, K-State Speech & Hearing Center
Phone: (785) 256-0408
Email: tbigroupmhk@gmail.com
Location: College Avenue United Methodist Church
Address: 1609 College Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502

 

NORTH KANSAS CITY, MO

Name: TBI Support Group North Kansas City (in-person & virtual)
Meeting Date & Time: Meeting Dates Change, 5:00-6:30pm
Contact Person: Brain Injury Association Of Missouri
Phone: none listed
Email: info@biamo.org
Location: North Kansas City Parks & Recreation, Maple Room
Address: 201 Clark Ferguson Drive, North Kansas City, Missouri 64116

 

OVERLAND PARK

Name: Brain Injury Support Group (in-person)
Meeting Date & Time: 1st Saturday of the Month, 10:00–11:00am
Contact Persons: Barbara Allen or Matt Hendricks
Phone: none listed
Email:  allen_barbj@yahoo.com, m.hendricks.hr@gmail.com
Location: MidAmerica Rehabilitation Hospital, Cafeteria
Address: 5701 W 110th Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66211

Name: Brain Injury Support Group (in-person)
Meeting Date & Time: 4th Wednesday of the Month, 4:00-5:00pm
Contact Person: David Ong/ Briana
Phone: none listed
Email: briabri13@icloud.com
Location: Johnson County Library (Blue Valley Location), Study Room 1 
Address: 9000 W 151st Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66211

 

PAOLA

Name: Heads Up Brain Injury Support Group (in-person)
Meeting Date & Time: Last Thursday of the month, 6:30-9:00pm
Contact Persons:  Jeanne Woolsey and Rosemary Bergeron
Phone: (913) 406-1116, (913) 731-1632
Email: rosemarybergeron@yahoo.com
Location: Paola Senior Center
Address: 121 W Wea Street, Paola, Kansas 66071

 

TOPEKA

Name: Brain Injury Support Group (in-person)
Meeting Date & Time: 3rd Thursday of the Month, 6:00–7:30pm
Contact Persons: Faye Miller and Randy Williams
Phone: (785) 207-2606, (785) 232-8553
Email: movingahead2014@gmail.com
Location: Kansas Rehabilitation Hospital, 1st Floor Employee Cafeteria
Address: 1504 SW 8th Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66606

 

SAINT JOSEPH, MO

Name: Brain Injury Support Group (in-person)
Meeting Date & Time: 3rd Monday of the Month, 5:00pm
Contact Person: Michael Smith
Phone: none listed
Email: michaelsmith@luinc.org
Location: Life Unlimited/ MERIL
Address: 4420 S 40th Street, Saint Joseph, Missouri 64503

 

WICHITA

Name: Pending Confirmation of new Location & Contact
Meeting Date & Time: 4th Friday of the Month, 4:00-6:00pm
Contact Person: TBA
Phone: TBA
Email: TBA
Location: TBA
Address: TBA