NSCIA CT Chapter Services Page

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NEW!!! Discussion topics for our SCI Support Groups have been updated for 2004! Click Here for more information!

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.

  • Functional Electrical Stimulation Program
     - sponsoring a growing number of independant facilities in both clinical and community settings that allow individuals to use Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)bikes.
  • Peer Assistance
     - a process by which a person with a disability offers assistance to another with a similar impairment.
  • Support Groups
     - allowing individuals the opportunity to discuss a variety of topics with other's that have a spinal cord injury.
  • "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: nscia@sciact.org.



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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

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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 :


Updated 01/01/2004
HARTFORD COUNTY - NEW BRITAIN
Where: Hospital for Special Care in New Britain, CT.
When: 3rd Tuesday of EVERY!! month
Time: 3:30 - 5:00
Contact.: Jennifer Bartiss-Earley at 860-827-1958

Please call for a list of topics and activities!


NEW LONDON COUNTY - NORWICH
Where: William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, CT.
When: 3rd Saturday of EVERY!! month
Time: 11:00 - 12:00
Contact: Amy Anderson at 860-823-6317

Please call for a list of topics and activities!


HARTFORD COUNTY - HARTFORD
Where: Rehabilitation Hospital of Connecticut in Hartford, CT.
When: 3rd Wednesday of EVERY!! Month
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Contact.: Paige McCullough-Casciano 860-714-2421

Please call for a list of topics and activities!


NEW HAVEN COUNTY - WALLINGFORD
Where: Gaylord Hospital sponsored by NSCIA-CT. Chapter in Wallingford, CT.
When: 2nd Thursday of EVERY!! Month
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Contact.: Mehgan Copeland at 203-949-2178

Please call for a list of topics and activities!


FAIRFIELD COUNTY - NORWALK
Where: Advanced Center for Rehab. Medicine, Inc. in Norwalk, CT.
When: 2nd Monday of EVERY!! Month
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Contact.: Karen McDonald at 203-852-3342

Please call for a list of topics and activities!


CHECK OUR MONTHLY CALENDAR FOR MORE DATES AND SUBJECT MATTER

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A SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL 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, email:nsciact@iconn.net, or fill out our Online Stop Trauma Form.

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Disclaimer (Please read this item carefully!) The information contained in this web site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
The National Spinal Cord Injury Association, CT Chapter does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services or medical advice. NSCIA does not assume any liability for the information and data contained in this web site or for any diagnosis or treatment made in reliance thereon.
© 2008   NSCIA CT Chapter. All rights reservered.