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