The NSCIA Connectcut Chapter offers a number of services to provide assistance to
those with Spinal Cord Injuries. Please click on any of the programs below to find
out more information.
"Stop Trauma" Program
- available to educators who want to bring the message of trauma prevention
into the classroom
We Need Your Support!
Like all of the services we offer, the success of these vital programs depend on
both funding and participation not only from our own membership, but from organizations
and members of the community as well.
If you would like more information on Connecticut Chapter Services, or if you would
like to volunteer for any of our programs, please contact the NSCIA CT Chapter at
(203)284-1045, or email.
Peer Assistant Program
The purpose of the "Peer Assistance program" To provide newly injured person, or
persons who are having trouble adapting, an opportunity to talk to "others" who
share similar experiences and circumstances. This is a process by which a person
with a disability, through their skilled training, personal experiences, and desire
to help, offers assistance to others with a disability.
Who are Peer Assistants?
A Peer Assistant is a person with a spinal cord injury or disease who has been selected
and trained by the Peer Assistance Program Screening Committee. This individual
has demonstrated effective independent living and adaptation in the community for
a minimum of one year following the onset of there disability. The person has agreed,
on a volunteer basis, to provide resource information, understanding on various
issues including :
- Activities of daily living
- Coping with self and body image
- Dating and relationships
- Learning self advocacy &
assertiveness
- Recreational & leisure time
activities
- Awareness of other community
resources
- Equipment modification and repair
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TALK WITH A PEER ASSISTANT, PLEASE CONTACT THE NSCIA CONNECTICUT
CHAPTER AT (203)284-1045
NSCIA CT State-Wide Support Groups
Spinal cord injured people encounter other problems beyond the physical symptoms.
Spinal cord injury affects social, emotional, vocational, and economic aspects of
living. Coping with the stigma of being disabled, barriers to employment opportunities,
expressing sexuality, and other social and personal issues are a major part of living
with a spinal cord injury. Many individuals feel the need to discuss these topics
with others that possess similar injuries.
As a service to persons with spinal cord injury or disease, the NSCIA Connecticut
Chapter provides support group meetings. Our support groups allow individuals the
opportunity to discuss a variety of topics with other's that have a spinal cord
injury. Support group meetings are held at many area hospitals and independent living
centers throughout the state of Connecticut. Support groups are organized and run
by NSCIA CT Chapter member volunteers. Currently support groups are located at :
| ROUND TABLE SUPPORT
GROUP |
| Where
: Hospital for Special Care in New Britain, CT.
|
| When
: 3rd Tuesday of EVERY!! month
|
| Time
: 3:30 - 5:00
|
| Contact
:
Dr. Tim Bellivue at 860-827-1958
|
Please call for a list of topics and activities!
| SPINAL CORD INJURY
INFORMATION GROUP
|
| Where
: Rehabilitation Hospital of CT in Hartford, CT.
|
| When
: 3rd Wednesday of EVERY!! Month
|
| Time
:5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
|
| Contact
: Paige McCullough-Casciano 860-714-2421 |
Please call for a list of topics and activities!
|
SPINAL CORD INJURY INFORMATION GROUP
|
| Where
: Gaylord Hospital sponsored by NSCIA-CT. Chapter in Wallingford, CT.
|
| When
: 2nd Monday of EVERY!! Month |
| Time
: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
|
| Contact
: Erin Prastine at 203-284-2875 |
Please call for a list of topics and activities!
Stop Trauma Program
Stop Trauma is a 45 minute program available on request to educators who want to
bring the message of trauma prevention into the classroom.
Sponsors of Stop Trauma have designed the program to explain the causes and consequences
of spinal cord and traumatic brain injury.
Stop Trauma objectives include :
- Intensifying students' understanding of risk, especially in careless or drunk driving
- Encouraging acceptance of responsibility by young people for safety
- Dispelling the idea that "it won't happen to me"
- Suggesting proven means of reducing risk of injury
Presentations include a clinical presentor that explains SCI from a medical standpoint,
and a Spinal Cord Injury Survivor, who can relate their own experience to students,
as well as warn of the risks of SCI that students will encounter. Also included
in the presentation is a 20 minute film by Barry Corbett, in which various people
with spinal cord and brain injuries tell their own stories.
Stop Trauma presentations are available to any school in Connecticut. To request
a presentation in your school, or for more information please call the NSCIA CT
Chapter at (203)284-1045 or email us.
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