Brain Injury Association of Rhode Island, Inc.

Support Group Information

We invite you to attend our Brain Injury Support Group Meetings held in various locations in Rhode Island. These meeting sare open to all persons who have sustained a brain injury, their families, and other concerned individuals. There is no fee to attend, but we do encourage membership in the Brain Injury Association of RI, Inc.

A support group is created when two or more individuals come together on a regular basis to provide mutual support, information, education and assistance to one another to cope with the consequences of brain injury.

The Brain Injury Support Group provides informal peer group interaction and adjustment to handicaps caused by brain injuries. By becoming involved with a Brain Injury Support Group, persons with brain injuries and their families can share common problems, concerns and experiences, and obtain valuable information. Occasionally speakers are scheduled to help us learn more about brain injuries and how to cope with the long-term problems associated with brain injuries. Some essential elements of a support group are:

The sharing of oneself
The sensing that others care
Active, involved listening to others and being heard by them
Meeting and accepting the needs of others
Receiving and giving an opportunity to be really understood
Providing an atmosphere where positive and negative views can be expressed without being judged or labeled
A two-way street - both giving and getting among members
An awareness of common needs and strengths
An opportunity to get in touch with oneself
A place to find courage and to take risks

The Brain Injury Association of RI, Inc. is working to create more support groups throughout the state. Anyone interested in starting a BIARI support group may call BIARI headquarters at 401-461-6599.

See below for a complete listing of all BIARI cosponsored support groups, their locations and meeting times. We hope you will attend!

BIA of Rhode Island
935 Park Avenue, Suite 8
Cranston, RI 02910-2743
Phone: 401-461-6599
Fax: 401-461-6561
E-mail: braininjuryctr@biaofri.org
Website: biaofri.org

Support Groups

1st Wednesday of the Month:
Providence: Families and Survivors
Time: 4:30-6:00pm
Place: 3rd Floor Rehab Gym, SNERC, St. Joseph Hospital
21 Peace Street, Providence, RI
Facilitator: Colleen Fitzsimmons, R.P.T.
Contact Number: 456-4537

2nd Monday of the Month:
Warwick: Families and Survivors
Time: 6:15-7:45pm
Place: Sargent Rehabilitation Center
800 Quaker Lane (Front Building)
Facilitators: Laurie Hicks, MSW, LICSW
James Whiteside, MSW, LCSW
Contact Number: 886-6600 Registration Preferred

3rd Wednesday of the Month:
Cranston: Families and Survivors
Time: 3:30-5:00pm
Place: Brain Injury Resource Center
935 Park Avenue, Suite 8 (Front 1st Floor)
Facilitator: Sharon Brinkworth or Casey Crothers
Contact Number: (888)824-8911 or 461-6599
(Sign language interpreter services are available for the Cranston Meeting; requests for Interpreter services must be submitted 48 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting)

4th Tuesday of the Month:
Northern Rhode Island: Families and Survivors
Time: 6:30-8:00pm
Place: Pulmonary Rehab Room, Rehab Hospital of RI, North Smithfield, RI
Facilitator: Linda Silva, P.T.A
Contact Number: 766-0800, ext. 5311

For more information and/or directions, contact the numbers above or call the Brain Injury Association of RI at 461-6599 or Toll Free 1-888-824-8911