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

Third Thursday of Every 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

Chesterfield/Powhatan Brain Injury Support Group

2nd Monday of the month • 6:30 pm-8:30 pm

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

Hopewell TriCities Brain Injury Support Group

2nd Tuesday of the month • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

This group is open to adults with brain injury and families. The group usually meets in the Quiet Room at the back of the library;check at the front desk for location. Learn more

Richmond Aphasia Support Group

2nd Thursday of the month • 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Learn more

Richmond Support Group

3rd Monday of the month • 6:15 pm

This is for adults with TBI, family and friends Learn more

Richmond Supportive Survivors

Tuesdays • 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

This is for adults with TBI, family and friends and is a social group. 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

Race to Rebuild

BETWEEN MAY 1 - MAY 31, 2023

Race to Rebuild is a virtual walk/run/cycle/roll the distance of your choice event that anyone can join in support of trauma survivors and the incredible challenges they face every day. Race to Rebuild is a virtual race that anyone anywhere can join in support of friends, family and others who challenge themselves daily to adapt to their "new normal". You can choose any day during the month of May to complete your walk/run/cycle/roll. Registration is $40 per person and includes: Race to Rebuild t-shirt Custom Race Day Bib Other fun TSN Swag Trauma Survivors: Please use promo code: SURVIVOR2023 for 50% off registration. This event benefits the programs and services provided by the American Trauma Society and Trauma Survivors Network which dedicates their mission to Save Lives, Improve Care and Empower Survivors. Learn more


Community Resources

Together We Can: Trauma Survivors Support Group

https://www.vcuhealth.org/events/events-results?tagname%20=%20support%20groups%20&keywords%20=%20%20&locationname%20=%20%20&date=

Held at VCU Health Main Hospital on the third Thursday of each month from 5:30-7pm. 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

http://s3.amazonaws.com/reeve-assets-production/English-PRG-2017_Smaller.pdf

From the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

Military & Veterans Program for Spinal Cord Injury

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

From the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

Autonomic Dysreflexia

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

Sepsis- spinal cord injury

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

From the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

Bladder Management- spinal cord injury

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

From the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

Bowel Management- spinal cord injury

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

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

From the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

Managing Spasticity- spinal cord injury

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

From the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

Parenting with a Disability: Know Your Rights

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

From the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation


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