Learning to cope with a spinal cord injury may be the biggest challenge ever faced by an SCI patient and his or her family. It is good to know that you are not alone in such a difficult situation. SCI support groups provide the opportunity to make friends with people undergoing similar challenges and also offer the opportunity to learn more about SCI and how to deal with it.

Different SCI groups have different focuses. For example, some groups focus on helping people recently injured cope with their altered lifestyle, while other groups focus on providing recreational activities for people with SCI. If you have the opportunity, investigate several SCI groups before deciding which you want to join. Some people may find that they benefit from belonging to more than one group.

We have endeavored to make the following list of SCI groups in Minnesota as complete as possible. Because support groups change or disband without notice, please call ahead to get the group’s latest information before you make a trip to their meeting place. Some groups like for you to call and register before you attend.  

If you cannot find an SCI group in your area, you may want to consider establishing one. The National Spinal Cord Injury Association can help you start your own group: http://www.spinalcord.org/index.php

Golden Valley

Courage Center support group for those with spinal cord injuries

Find support and encouragement at this group that meets six times a year at Courage Center Golden Valley. The group is open to all - persons with cord injuries, family members, professionals.  The group meets six times a year and discussion topics are determined by group members. It meets the first Wednesday in February, April, June, August, October and December from 7 to 8:30 p.m. There is no fee to join the group.

A peer mentor program for persons who have sustained spinal cord injuries is also available.

Meeting place:

Courage Center
Education Center Room 3
3915 Golden Valley Rd.
Golden Valley, Minnesota, 55422

Phone: (612) 522-0362

Contact:

Twyla Misselhorn, 651-241-5155 e-mail:  twyla.misselhorn@allina.org

 Website: http://www.couragecenter.org/contentpages/spinal_cord_supportgroup.aspx

Minneapolis

Kenny Grad School community education group

This group is for persons with spinal cord injury, their families, friends, and caregivers.  It meets three times a year, in the Spring, Summer, and Fall.  Topics have included the following: community resources, personal care attendants, accessible home design, aging, sexuality, and weight management.

Meeting place:

Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute
800 E. 28th Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55407

Phone: (612) 863-3201

Contact:

Jennifer Theis e-mail: Jennifer.Theis@allina.com

Southeastern Minnesota

Southeastern Minnesota Spinal Cord Injury Support Group

Phone: 507- 285-3932

Unfortunately, this group is not currently meeting due to sporadic attendance. If interested in helping to revive the group please contact Jeff.  A one-on-one Peer Mentoring program is available. Please contact Ann for more information.

Contacts:

Jeff Vert 507- 285-3920 e-mail: JeffV@semcil.org
Ann e-mail:  Annp@semcil.org

St. Paul

St. Paul Spinal Cord Injury Support Group

The Spinal Cord Injury Support Group is open to survivors, caregivers, spouses and significant others.  It meets the first Wednesday of each month from 6 to 8 pm.

Meeting place:

Bethesda Hospital

7th floor conference room
559 Capitol Blvd

St. Paul, Minnesota, 55103
Phone: (651) 232-2167

Contact:

Tammy Heise e-mail:   tkheise@healtheast.org