Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital in Wheaton, Ill., has launched a new support group for people living with spinal cord injuries (SCI).
Lives In Motion offers “a forum to learn and share everyday experiences, while gaining support from others living with the disability,” according to a news announcement about the group.
Monica Blaauw, a Marianjoy occupational therapist, described the support group’s atmosphere as relaxed — a place “to learn and receive encouragement from Marianjoy clinicians, as well as their peers who have been living with a spinal cord injury. We feel the peer support is crucial, as these individuals can offer insight and share their experiences on how they have personally coped and dealt with a variety of situations.”
The group will once a month, on the fourth Tuesday, at Marianjoy’s Wheaton location. Activities will include peer panel discussions, as well as presentations from clinicians who specialize in SCI and the assistive technology and resources that can be helpful.
Lives In Motion also seeks to provide support and resources to family members and caregivers of people with SCI, and the group will focus not just on the clinical aspects of living with SCI, but also the social and emotional aspects.
For more information, visit marianjoy.org.
