A spinal cord injury can be overwhelming to the patient and his or her entire family. Having emotional support is important for both new SCI patients and those who have been living with the condition for awhile. Learning new information about SCI is also important. SCI support groups offer patients and their families emotional support, information, and much more. For example, many SCI groups dedicate themselves to offering adaptive recreational activities for SCI patients.

Each SCI support group has its own special focus, so it is important to check out several before deciding which one is appropriate for you. The following list of SCI support groups in Illinois is as complete as we could make it; you will notice that some groups have more information available than others. In addition, support groups may change or disband without notice, so we urge you to call the groups you are interested in before making a trip to their meeting place.

The Spinal Cord Injury Association of Illinois is the sponsor of many of the support groups in Illinois, especially those in the Chicago area. If you cannot find a support group near you, you may want to start your own. The Spinal Cord Injury Association of Illinois can provide valuable support and guidance to individuals interested in starting a group. Their website is: http://www.sci-illinois.org/

Spinal Cord Injury Association of Illinois

1032 South LaGrange Road
LaGrange, IL 60525

Contact:

Mercedes Rauen

Phone: 708-352-6223
Fax: 708-352-9065
E-mail: SCIInjury@aol.com

Chicago

TBI Support Group

Please call for more information.

Meeting place:

Access Living CIL
115 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60610

Contact:

Carrie Kaufman 312-640-2100, ext. 103

TBI Support Group

Please call for more information.

Meeting place:

Health Resource Center for Women
345 E. Superior St.
Chicago, IL 60611

Contact:

Linda Johnson 312-908-7997

Rush Neurological Information Group

This group is geared to the needs of family members of TBI survivors and those who have acquired brain injury from a disease or condition, such as Parkinson’s or stroke. The group meets on Wednesday from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Please call for more information.

Meeting place:

Rush University Medical Center
1725 W. Harrison
Chicago, IL 60612
8 Kellogg Bldg. Family Waiting Room

Contact:

Anna Walters 312-563-2703

Cross-Disability Support Group (bilingual)

This group, for individuals with any type of physical disability, welcomes Spanish-speakers. Please call for more information.

Meeting place:

Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital
1401 S. California Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60608

Contact:

Kris Vertiz 773 522-2010

Women's Support Group at RIC

This group is especially for women and provides support, and information geared to the special issues women with SCI face. Please call for more information.

Meeting place

RIC
345 E Superior
Chicago, IL 60611

Contact:

Carrie Kaufman 312-640-2103

Cross Disability Support Group- Sibling Support Group Program

This group offers support to siblings of people with any type of physical disability. Please call for more information.

Meeting place:

Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
Pediatric Development Center,
3040 N. Wilton, 2nd Fl.
Chicago, IL 60657

Contact:

Shelia Swann-Guerrero 773-296-8127

Glen Ellyn

Cross Disability Support Group

Please call for more information.

Meeting place:

Dupage Center for Independent Living
739 Roosevelt Rd., Ste. 109, Bldg. 8
Glen Ellyn, IL

Contact:

Darlene J. Magialardi 630-469-2300, fax: 630-469-2606

Mundelein

Disability Support Group

Please call for more information about this group, which meets at the Lake County Center for Independent Living.

Meeting place:

Lake County CIL
377 N. Seymour Ave.
Mundelein, IL 60060

Contact:

847- 949-4400, Fax: 847-949-4455
Email: lccil@dls.net

Oak Forest

SCI Support Group

Please call for more information.

Meeting place:

Oak Forest Hospital
15900 S. Cicero
Oak Forest, IL 60452

Contact:

Lynda Harper 708- 633-3530

Oak Brook

ROC (Respect Our Caregivers)

This family member support group usually meets at the Waters Edge Restaurant on third Saturday of the month from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please call for more information.

Meeting place:

The Waters Edge Restaurant,
McDonalds Campus,
2815 Jorie Blvd.
Oak Brook, IL 60521

Contact:

Mary Munoz 630-654-8104

Springfield

Paralysis Support Group

Please call for more information.

Meeting place:

Memorial Medical Center
Regional Rehabilitation Center
G10 A Conference Room
Springfield Illinois 62781

217-788-3000 (this is the hospital’s general information number; a direct number for the group contact person is not currently available)

Contact:

Dawn M. Lucasey PT

SCI Support Group

This group may be in the process of formation. Please call for information.

Meeting place:

Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital
26W171 Roosevelt Rd.
Wheaton, IL 60187

Contact:

Jim Decker 630 462-4445