Disabilities (General) / Spinal Cord Injury

Self Help Clearinghouse

National. 35 chapters and support groups. Founded 1948. Provides information and referrals on many topics to persons with spinal cord injuries and diseases, their families and interested professionals. Group development guidelines, monthly newsletter, support groups, peer counseling. Online listing of local chapters.
Write:
National Spinal Cord Injury Association
6701 Democracy Blvd., #300
Bethesda, MD 20817
Voice: 1-800-962-9629
Fax: 301-990-0445
Website: http://www.spinalcord.org
E-mail: info@spinalcord.org
Verified: 5/1/2007

National. 34 chapters and 58 field service offices. To ensure that spinal cord injured or diseased veterans achieve the highest quality of life possible. Membership is available solely to individuals who are American citizens with spinal cord dysfunction as a result of trauma or disease. Must have served on active duty and had an other than dishonorable discharge. Information and referrals, support groups, publications, VA benefits counseling and magazine.
Write:
Paralyzed Veterans of America
801 18th St. NW
Washington, DC 20006
Voice: 1-800-424-8200 or 202-872-8200
Website: http://www.pva.org
E-mail: info@pva.org
Verified: 10/23/2006

National network. Founded 1979. Provides peer support through networking for farmers and ranchers with disabilities. Connects recently injured individuals with persons with similar disability. Support through talking, correspondence and visitation.
225 South University St.
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2093
Voice: 765-494-5088 (Voice/TTY) or 1-800-825-4264
Fax: 765-496-1356
Website: http://www.breakingnewground.info
E-mail: bng@ecn.purdue.edu
Verified: 10/23/2006

Online. Founded 1992. A family friendly monitored electronic message system that enables children and adolescents with disabilities or chronic illness (also parents/caregivers/siblings) to share experiences, information, encouragement, support and hope through messages.
Write:
Ability Online Support Network
c/o Centre for Social Innovation
215 Spadina Ave., Ste. 405
Toronto, ON M5T 2C7 Canada
Voice: 1-866-650-6207 or 416-650-6207
Fax: 416-644-0116
Website: http://www.abilityonline.org
E-mail: information@ablelink.org
Verified: 4/30/2007

Online. A global community that integrates information, resources and communication opportunities for persons with cognitive and other disabilities, their families and professionals. Broad range of discussion boards.
Website: http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/
E-mail: familyvillage@waisman.wisc.edu
Verified: 10/12/2006

National. 200 affiliated groups. Founded 1990. Organization dedicated to the life long concerns of brothers and sisters of children with special health, developmental and mental health concerns. Provides training and technical assistance regarding Sibshops and workshops for school-age siblings.
Write:
Sibling Support Project
c/o Donald Meyer
6512 23rd Ave. NW, #213
Seattle, WA 98117
Voice: 206-297-6368
Fax: 509-752-6789
Website: http://www.siblingsupport.org
E-mail: donmeyer@siblingsupport.org
Verified: 4/24/2007

International. 28 chapters. Founded 1994. Provides education regarding the impact of chronic illness and/or disability on a family. Information, referrals, phone support, e-mail correspondence and 'how-to' guides on developing a local group.
Write:
Project Delivery Of Chronic Care
18 Dunster Rd.
Great Neck, NY 11771
Voice: 516-829-0786
Fax: 516-498-1899
Website: http://projectdocc.org
E-mail: projdocc@aol.com
Verified: 4/30/2007

National. Founded 1946. To provide expertise, create access to resources and strengthen hope, thereby enabling people with spinal cord injuries and disorders to fulfill their potential as acitve members of their communities.
Write:
United Spinal Association
75-20 Astoria Blvd.
Jackson Heights, NY 11370-1177
Voice: 718-803-3782 ext. 1203
Verified: 10/9/2006

Online. Provides a forum for quadriplegics (tetraplegics) to support and communicate with others who share the same condition. Not strictly a SCI (spinal cord injury) forum. Forum is for anyone who suffers a partial or full loss of function of all 4 extremities of the body, i.e. a quad due to any reason not just from a SCI.
Website: http://www.makoa.org/quadlist.htm
Verified: 12/14/2006