Support for Young Adults with Spinal Cord Injuries

MENTORS:

  • Rancho Los Amigos Know Barriers Program: 562-385-7053, rrohan@dhs.lacounty.gov or zdeere@ranchofoundation.org
    • Peer mentoring, life coaching, information, referrals, violence prevention outreach and substance abuse recovery offered by individuals living with a disability. Mentors meet and start working with individuals when they are in the inpatient rehabilitation center and will touch base every few months or on request by an individual once they leave.
  • The Triumph Foundation
    • Support for people with spinal cord injury in Southern CA. Newly-Injured Support Group, grants and equipment, care baskets and outreach to those still in the hospital ,support and recreation activities for those who have returned home.
  • The Christopher and Dana Reeves Foundation: 800-539-7309
    • Connection with free peer mentors for support, online or in-person.
    • Mentors share what they have learned and help you overcome the challenges of living with a spinal cord injury. There is also an online forum for questions and discussions on the website under “Reeve Connect” on the website.
  • United Spinal Association
    • Connection to free peer mentors you can talk to whether you’re near or far from them. They offer advice, help you deal with stress and anxiety, help you adjust to life changes and new skills and provide friendship and support. Go to www.unitedspinal.org to complete an application.
  • Backbones
    • Connection to free peer mentors who has a similar injury or disability and similar interests. There are once-a-month online meetups for peers with spinal cord injuries. Go to the website then go under “get involved” then “connect” for an individual peer connection or go under “Programs” then “Peerconnect” to sign up for the monthly online group.

SOCIAL MEDIA SUPPORT AND WEBSITES:

  • Facebook Support Group: “You Are Not Alone – Dealing with Spinal Cord Injury”
    • Discuss anything and everything about living with paralysis.
  • Wheel Life:
    • Facebook and Twitter support: connect with others who have spinal cord injuries.
  • Strong Wheeled
    • Facebook and Twitter support: connect with and follow stories of other people who use wheelchairs or share your own story.
  • Disabilities-R-US
    • Lots of resources for people with all types of disabilities including spinal cord injury. They have a live-chat room, community forum message boards, disability resources, legal resources and resources that address sexuality after an injury.
  • CareCure Community
    • Active online message-board discussions about many topics related to spinal cord injury for teens and adults.
  • National Spinal Cord Injury Association
    • Contact them with any question about any spinal cord Injury related needs you have, at 800-962-9629 or www.spinalcordcentral.org, including how to find support near you.
  • Inspired Spinal Cord Injury Support: supportive message board where teens and adults write in about multiple issues related to spinal cord injury.

VIRTUAL ONLINE SUPPORT GROUPS (Join a group by phone or video)

GOOD WEBSITES FOR GENERAL INFO:

  • Christopherreeve.org
    • Information about living with paralysis, links to mentors, an online forum where you can write in and talk with other people with spinal cord injuries, a blog where people with spinal cord injuries discuss lots of different topics, free webinars where you can learn from experts.
  • Spinalpedia
    • Information shared by a community of people with spinal cord injury to help and inspire each other. The website includes everything from getting in and out of your home, and bathroom fixes, to videos, blogs, social life, employment, legal issues and sports.
  • Spinalcord.com
    • Call 877-336-7192 or go to the website if you have questions or need help finding local support groups. The website also has forums, survivor stories, legal and financial resources and support for family and friends. On the website, go under “resources,” then “coping and support” for groups.
  • United Spinal Association
    • Website with tons of resources including legal, financial, equipment, advocacy and lots of support group information. Everything from wheelchair reviews to podcasts.
  • Helphopelive.org
    • Community Fundraising for people with life-changing illness or injury.

CALIFORNIA SUPPORT GROUPS THAT MEET MONTHLY IN PERSON (May be on hold at present due to Covid):

FAMILY SUPPORT:

  • Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center Caregiver Support Group:
    • 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month, 11Am-12PM
  • Triumph Wives and Girlfriends of Men with Spinal Cord Injuries:
  • Support for Parents of children with SCI Facebook Group
  • Christopherreeve.org
    • Information and support for people living with spinal cord injury and their families. Contact them online for help finding support.
  • Spinalcord.com
    • Helpful information for caregivers on their website under “Family and Friends”
  • Virtual Family Social hour, Greater Boston Chapter of United Spinal Association, open to all states
    • For family and friends of people with spinal cord injury – An open discussion about everything involving life with spinal cord injury from a family/friend point of view.
    • Every Thursday, 2pm California time, 5:00 PM Eastern Time
    • Join by phone: 312-626-6799 or 646-876-9923
    • (No password, Meeting ID: 967 8523 7098)
    • Or by video on Zoom: Use the same link and login information every week! https://partners.zoom.us/j/96785237098
  • Virtual Support Group for Significant Others
    • An open discussion about everything involving life with spinal cord injury from a significant other’s point of view.
    • Every Tuesday,1pm California time, 4:00 PM Eastern Time
    • Join by phone: 312 626 6799 or 929 205 6099
    • (Meeting ID: 862 8544 3842 Password: 473243)
    • Or by video on Zoom: Use the same link and login information every week! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86285443842?pwd=SmVUdXgrbCtiRm5xSU1KdzRLajdXQT09

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