Trauma Survivors Network - provided by ATS

Survive. Connect. Rebuild.

A Program of the ATS

Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center

Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, VCU Medical Center is one of the country’s leading academic medical centers with five health sciences schools, the VCU Health System, the Massey Cancer Center, and Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. As the region's oldest Level 1 trauma center, the VCU Medical Center offers state-of-the-art care in more than 200 specialty areas, many of national and international note, including organ transplantation, head and spinal cord trauma, burn healing and cancer treatment. We are the only comprehensive trauma center in the state of Virginia with adult, pediatric and burn trauma verifications.

 


Upcoming Programs & Events

Together We Can: Trauma Survivors Support Group

3rd Thursday of the month • 5:30-7:00pm

Together We Can: Trauma Survivors Support Group provides peer support for trauma survivors and their families who may be having difficulty coping with recovery or just want to find strength in others who are walking in the same shoes. These support groups are facilitated by VCU Health and VCU team members in conjunction with the Trauma Survivors Network. We encourage you to take this time for yourself and be supportive of fellow trauma survivors who may be in different places in their healing journey. Free Onsite parking is available in the Visitor Lot at 529 N. 12th St. Richmond, VA 23298 Learn more

Richmond Brain Injury Support Group

3nd Monday of the month • 6:00pm-7:30pm

This group is geared to adults with brain injury and families. Learn more

Richmond Supportive Survivors

1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month • 6:00pm - 7:30pm

This is for adults with TBI, family and friends and is a social group. The group meets in the food court of Regency Mall in Richmond. Learn more

Richmond Aphasia Support Group

Wednesday and Thursday, once a month • 2:00pm Wednesday informal, 6:00pm Thursday formal

In-person group, for individuals experiencing aphasia and family/support systems. At Libbie Mill Henrico Public Library, meets formally one Thursday a month at 6:00pm and informally one Wednesday a month at 2:00pm for coffee/conversation. Learn more

United Spinal Association of Virginia Caregiver Chat

Third Wednesday of every month • 6:00 pm

This group is open to family, friends and caregivers of individuals with spinal cord injury and disease. Learn more


Community Resources

Together We Can: Trauma Survivors Support Group

https://www.vcuhealth.org/events/events-details?eventid=f914316d-671c-4112-a821-b39a7d5abb1a#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20any%20questions,members%20will%20return%20your%20call.

Together We Can: Trauma Survivors Support Group provides peer support for trauma survivors and their families who may be having difficulty coping with recovery or just want to find strength in others who are walking in the same shoes. These support groups are facilitated by VCU Health and VCU team members in conjunction with the Trauma Survivors Network. We encourage you to take this time for yourself and be supportive of fellow trauma survivors who may be in different places in their healing journey. This group is to provide emotional support, information, encouragement, and resources. If you have any questions or would like additional information about the Trauma Survivors Network and resources available to you, please call (804) 828-6426 and leave a message with your phone number and one of our team members will return your call.

Rollin' RNs

https://www.rollinrns.com/

As The Rollin’ RNs, we look forward to using our nursing experience as health care professionals who live our lives with a spinal cord injury (SCI) to write articles that pertain to health topics of most interest for the SCI community and those with other disabilities. ​ Patty Kunze has been a Registered Nurse for over 30 years and has accumulated a wealth of healthcare information and experience she wishes to share with others. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, she has worked in Spinal Cord Injury Unit, Neonatal ICU Transport team, Labor & Delivery/Newborn Nursery management, and as a nursing instructor for nursing students. In 2009, she was in an auto accident leaving her a T4 complete paraplegic. So not only is she a nurse, but she also lives her life in a wheelchair. ​ Roberta Palmer has been a Registered Nurse for over 20 years. She has experience in Family Practice, Allergy and Immunology, Specialty Pharmacy, and as an RN Health Coach and Case Manager Specialist. In 2014, she was involved in an ATV accident which left her a T3 complete paraplegic from the chest down. She also lives her daily life in a wheelchair. ​ Patty and Roberta are both experienced and knowledgeable nurses who live life from the sitting position daily. Their goal is to share information with readers that is evidence-based, timely, and easy to understand.

AMPOWER

http://www.empoweringamputees.org/

The mission of AMPOWER is to empower and strengthen those affected by amputation or limb difference through peer mentorship, educational resources, and community events. It consists of a nationwide network of trained peer mentors who have successfully recovered and rehabilitated following amputation and want to share their personal experiences with you. AMPOWER peer mentors can connect with you and your loved ones in person, over the phone, or online.

Amputee Coalition

https://www.amputee-coalition.org/

The mission of the Amputee Coalition is to reach out to and empower people affected by limb loss to achieve their full potential through education, support and advocacy, and to promote limb loss prevention.

Autonomic Dysreflexia Informatic

http://s3.amazonaws.com/reeve-assets-production/AD-Guide-Adult-5-18.pdf

This resource is from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. The infographic contains treatment recommendations which can be used for adults with Autonomic Dysreflexia (AD).

National Center for PTSD

https://www.ptsd.va.gov/

A national resource for trauma survivors, which includes information about PTSD, resources such as the PTSD Coach Online, and videos from other survivors and professionals.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call is routed to the nearest crisis center in the national network of more than 150 crisis centers. For assistance, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255), TTY: 1-800-799-4889.

National Institute of Mental Health

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml

This website provides mental health education about Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Information includes signs and symptoms of PTSD as well as professional treatment of PTSD. Call 1-866-615-6464 (toll-free) or visit http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline (SAMHSA)

www.samhsa.gov/

This helpline provides 24-hour free and confidential treatment information about mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, and recovery in English and Spanish. The SAMHSA website also offers a treatment locator to identify local mental health providers. For assistance, call 1-800-662-HELP, TTY: 1-800-487-4889, or visit www.samhsa.gov/

Paralysis Resource Guide

https://s3.amazonaws.com/reeve-assets-production/English-PRG-2020-Accessible.pdf

From the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation The book serves the full community of people affected by paralysis, including loved ones and caregivers—people who know how paralysis can be a family issue.

Military & Veterans Program Informational Guide

http://s3.amazonaws.com/reeve-assets-production/MVP-Brochure_bi-fold_FINAL.pdf

This resource is from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. Enhancing the quality of life for all veterans living with paralysis and their caregivers, regardless of when they served or how they were injured.

Bladder Management- Spinal Cord Injury Guide

http://s3.amazonaws.com/reeve-assets-production/2016BladderMgmtToolkit.pdf

From the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

Bowel Management- Spinal Cord Injury Guide

http://s3.amazonaws.com/reeve-assets-production/Bowel-Mgmt-Brochure_FINAL.pdf

From the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

Pressure Injuries and Skin Management- Spinal Cord Injury Guide

http://s3.amazonaws.com/reeve-assets-production/Skin-Care-Booklet-FINAL-2017.pdf

From the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

Managing Spasticity- Spinal Cord Injury Guide

http://s3.amazonaws.com/reeve-assets-production/Managing-Spasticity_-FINAL.pdf

From the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

Parenting with a Disability: Know Your Rights Guide

http://s3.amazonaws.com/reeve-assets-production/Parenting-Booklet-Digital_Finalv2.pdf

From the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

Women's Mental Health After Paralysis

https://www.christopherreeve.org/

Written by Patty Kunze, BSN, RNC, Roberta Palmer, RN and Laurie Pepitone, this booklet focuses on women and their mental health after a paralyzing injury. Ms. Kunze is a VCU Medical Center Trauma Survivor.

Download attachment

Sepsis- spinal cord injury

http://s3.amazonaws.com/reeve-assets-production/Sepsis-Guide_web-5-16.pdf

From the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

Deep Vein Thrombosis- spinal cord injury

http://s3.amazonaws.com/reeve-assets-production/DVT-Guide-web-5-16.pdf

From the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation


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