Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital sponsors a network of support groups to help address issues of healing that you and your family may face. Some of the groups are designed for the person who has experienced the injury, others are directed toward family and friends. The groups all share common goals: to offer information, emotional support, and social contact to people who are meeting similar challenges. Through the groups, you and your family can share feelings and concerns with others who are going through similar experiences.

Brain Injury/Stroke Support Group
This support group welcomes patients and their family and friends.  The group is led by a neuropsychologist with a focus on increased independence and adjustment to life after a brain injury or stroke.  Experts on the latest research and coping techniques are invited to speak.  Family members are sensitized to their loved one's needs and learn how to cope with lifestyle changes.  The group meets the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.

The Stroke Support Group
This support group is open to individuals on the inpatient units who have experienced cerebral vascular accidents.  The group is led by a psychologist with a focus on adjustment issues following a stroke.  Family members are also invited to attend. The group meets every Monday and Wednesday from 3 to 3:30 p.m.

The Amputee Support Group
This group provides information and emotional support for individuals who have experienced amputation of a limb, as well as their family and friends.  Coordinated by a physical therapist, who serves as an informational resource, the group members help each other solve practical problems and manage the challenges posed by amputation.

The Adapt Group for Pain Management
This group involves individuals with chronic pain and is led by a psychologist.  Typically, members of this group are participating in the Comprehensive Pain Program under the auspices of the RehabWorks Program.  Goals are to help individuals understand and manage their pain on a daily basis and to work towards achieving the highest quality of life and level of functioning that is possible.  It is both educational and supportive in nature.  The group meets every Thursday at 1 p.m.  (A monthly follow-on group, the Graduates Group, is available at no charge to participants once they complete the Comprehensive Pain Program.  See below.)

The Graduates Group for Pain Management
This is a support group led by a psychologist for individuals with chronic pain who have completed the hospital's Comprehensive Pain Program.  It was started in 2003 to provide ongoing support and to reinforce the use of constructive pain-coping strategies learned in the RehabWorks Program.  It is offered free of charge on the last Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Day Treatment Caregiver Support Group
This group is for caregivers of individuals participating in the hospital's Day Treatement Programs.  Both informational and supportive in nature, the group is led by a psychologist and focuses on the impact of changing family roles and responsibilities, and how best to help patients meet their community and vocational reentry goals.  The group meets weekly on Friday from 12-1 pm.

The Aphasia Support Group
This group is designed for people with aphasia to enhance communication and social skills. The group consists of about 10 participants and is facilitated by a Speech-Language Pathologist who will assist with group interaction or when there is a breakdown in communication.  The objective of the group is to provide a forum for participants to share the frustrations and challenges of aphasia as well as their solutions and to develop social connections.  The group meets two times a month on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from noon to 12:45 p.m. in Conference Room 5.

The Support Groups meet here at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital.  To be placed on a support group’s quarterly mailing list and for exact locations of meetings, please contact the Marketing Department at 610-251-5425.

Additional Resources and Organizations...

Brain Injury Association
1176 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 100
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 296-6443

Brain Injury Association of Delaware, Inc.
P.O. Box 9876
Newark, DE 19714
(302) 475-2286
1-800-411-0505

Long Island Head Injury Association, Inc.
65 Austin Blvd.
Commack, NY 11725
(516) 543-2245

Brain Injury Association of Maryland, Inc.
220 Kernan Drive
Baltimore, MD 21207
800-221-6443

Eastern Pennsylvania Brain Injury Association
2006 Par Drive
Doylestown, PA 18901
(215) 491-9036

Brain Injury Association of New Jersey, Inc.
1090 King George Post Road, Suite #708
Edison, NJ 08837-3722
(908) 738-1002

Brain Injury Association of New York State, Inc.
10 Colvin Avenue
Albany, NY 12206
(518) 459-7911

AHA Stroke Connection
American Heart Association
7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75231-4596
1-800-553-6321

National Stroke Association
8480 East Orchard Road, Suite 1000
Englewood, CO 80111
(303) 771-1700
800-STROKES (787-6537)

Strokes Club International
805 12th Street
Galveston, TX 77550
(409) 762-1022
(Call for the name of a stroke club in your area)

The Well Spouse Foundation
P.O. Box 801
New York, NY 10023
(212) 724-7209
800-838-0879