I’m a wife and caregiver to a brain injury survivor who also has epilepsy. We benefit and enjoy meeting with others in similar circumstances. For this reason, I’ve gathered information on this month’s support groups and therapy services offered in the Salt Lake Valley. If you live outside of this region, or are affected by another kind of condition, I encourage you to look for support groups near you relating to your health issues. Learning from and encouraging others in like situation makes the journey easier.
In case it’s impossible for you to get out, or you don’t live in this area, I’ve also included links to useful and inspiring websites.
If you have an activity, announcements or other information you’d like shared in this newsletter, please email Barbara@UnitingCaregivers.com
FREE SUPPORT GROUPS
FOR STROKE AND BRAIN INJURY SURVIVORS AND CAREGIVERS
New: Utah Valley Aphasia Choir. All brain injury, stroke survivors, caregivers, family, and friends are invited to join. They meet on the 1st Thursday of the month from 6-6:45pm, prior to the support group at the BYU Speech and Language Clinic. Come and enjoy the power of music and friendship together. They have some performance opportunities, such as singing a patriotic song to kick off the Strides for Strokes race to support the Utah Valley Stroke Association on May 18, 2019. Everyone interested is welcome to join.
May 2, 2019 – Utah Valley Brain Injury Support Group 7-8:30 p.m. meets every 1st Thursday monthly at the BYU Speech and Language Clinic, Room #177. Address: 1190 North 900 East, Provo, UT 84060. For questions call Lori Johnson at (801)422-9132.
May 14, 2019 – Brain Injury Alliance Support Group for Adults, 6-8 p.m. meets every 2nd Tuesday monthly at Sanderson Community Deaf Center, 5709 South 1500 West, SLC, UT 84123. This social group is for caregivers and survivors. Come join us for dinner and craft this month. Bring a side dish or dessert to share if you’d like. For more information, please call Jennifer (801)386-2195, or Beth (801)585-5511.
May 16, 2019 – Caregivers and Survivors Education and Support Groups, 7 p.m. meets every 3rd Thursday monthly at Intermountain Medical Center, 5171 S. Cottonwood St., Murray, UT 84107, building 1.
Caregivers meet on the 9th floor Neuroscience Conference Room. This month’s topic, Being a Resilient Caregiver. Part 5 of this years Caregivers Seminar.
Survivors meet on the 9th floor Gym. Carly Hoffman, Music Therapist will be speaking on Music Therapy for Brain Injury Rehabilitation. Carly Hoffman, Music Therapist.
For more information, please call (801)314-2086 or email Emily Redd emily.redd@imail.org
May 28, 2019 – University of Utah Brain Injury Support Group 6-8 p.m. meets every 4th Tuesday monthly, at Sugarhouse Health Center, 1138 E. Wilmington Avenue, SLC, UT 84106. For more information please call Annie Wallace at (801)581-2221.
2019 Brain Injury Alliance of Utah
Saturday, May 18, 2019
Run, Walk & Roll 5K
Liberty Park, 648 E. 1300 S., SLC
FREE WEEKLY GROUPS INTERMOUNTAIN HEALTH CARE NEURO THERAPY in Murray, UT
Cognitive Skills Group – Meets every Thursday Noon-1 p.m. at 5770 South 250 East #G50
Aphasia Talking Practice Group – Meets every Tuesday, Noon-1 p.m. at 5770 South 250 East #G50
Meditation Group – Meets every Wednesday, 3 p.m. at 5770 South 250 East Cafeteria Conference Room
Contact: Emily Redd at Emily.redd@imail.org
FREE EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUPS FOR THOSE EFFECTED BY SEIZURES
Together we share coping strategies, provide encouragement, comfort and advice from people with common experiences. For more information contact Margo at (801)455-6089 or Utah@efa.org.
May 2, 2019 – Epilepsy Support Group for All, 7 to 8 pm. Meets every 1st Thursday at the Logan Regional Hospital 500 E. 1400 N., Logan, UT 84341
May 8, 2019 – Epilepsy Group for All, 7:00 to 8:15 pm. Meets every 2nd Wednesday at the Provo City Library, 555 N. University Ave., Provo, UT.
May 9, 2019 – Epilepsy Group for All, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Meets every 2nd Thursday at the Intermountain Medical Center, 5171 S. Cottonwood St., Murray, UT Bldg. 6, 1st floor – CR2 in the Doty Education Center.
May 15, 2019 – Epilepsy Group for All, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Meets every 3rd Wednesday at the SLC Main Library 200 E. 400 S., SLC, UT (3rd floor conference room).
May 23, 2019 – Epilepsy Group for Teens, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Meets every 4th Thursday at the West Jordan Library, 8030 S. 1825 W., West Jordan, UT. Come and enjoy an activity and meet other teens with epilepsy. There are two teachers overseeing this group.
1st Thursday quarterly. Epilepsy Group for Parents, 7:00 – 8:15 p.m. Next meeting will be at June 6, 2019 at the Riverton Library Auditorium, 12877 S. 1830 W. Riverton, UT.
HELPFUL WEBSITES:
http://www.caregiver.org (online webinars for caregivers)
http://www.tbicommunity.org (online educational programs)
http://www.braininjury.com (medical, legal, information resource)
http://www.abta.org (brain tumor education and information)
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/tbi (brain injury facts, programs, education)
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/all-disorders (education for brain injury, stroke and other neurological disorders)
http://www.msktc.org/tbi (TBI Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center) national leaders in TBI research and patient care.
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Resources-Support (resource for those with MS)
http://www.epilepsy.com/utah and/or http://www.epilepsy.com (seizure education and support by state or national)
https://biau.org (resource for those with brain injury)
http://www.brainline.org (preventing, treating and living with TBI)
http://www.uilc.org (Utah Independent Living Center is a resource center which enhances independence of persons with disabilities)
ACTIVITIES TO DO WEBSITES:
https://store.usgs.gov/access-pass (free pass to National Parks & Federal Land Agency areas)
https://wildlife.utah.gov/watchable-wildlife-for-disabled.html (watchable wildlife for disabled persons)
http://slco.org/adaptive/plus-one-pass (Salt Lake County Disability Plus One Pass)
https://twilightinsight.wordpress.com/hobbies/hobbies-
for-healing-the-brain/tbi-and-selecting-a-hobby (select a hobby – ideas especially for TBI survivors)
http://www.discovernac.org (National Ability Center)
http://wanderookie.com/blog/2015/07/27/12-beautiful-wheelchair-accessible-trails-in-utah
(wheelchair accessible trails in Utah)
https://www.visitutah.com/Media/Default/One%20Sheeters/Accessible_Utah_web.pdf (list of accessible resources)
wasatchadaptivesports.org (Wasatch Adaptive Sports)
http://www.discovernac.org (National Ability Center)
https://www.meetup.com (meet up groups)
SHARING WEBSITES:
http://www.brainline.org/abbymaslin (blog about loving and learning after TBI)
http://www.facebook.com/UTteensupportgroup (social interaction and the exchange useful resources)
http://www.unitingcaregivers.wordpress.com (caregivers sharing stories, tips and thoughts)
Thank you for reading. I hope you found the information helpful and will follow this website via email to receive notifications of every new post. The “Follow” button is located at the beginning of the newsletter. However, if you want to subscribe only to a monthly newsletter, please email Barbara@UnitingCaregivers.com. I will add you to the newsletter email list and send it to you.
Uniting Caregivers 
Barbara,
I’m moving back! Just sold my house and am buying one in Herriman where 3 of my 7 children live… will also be fairly close to Chantal. I have to be out by June 1st.
Hope to see you,
Peggy
I’m excited you’re moving back. Please let me know how and when I can help you get settled in. I’d enjoy visiting with you while we unpack. Good luck with the packing. I look forward to seeing you soon!