Recently a new community event has been introduced to Stoughton. An Acquired Brain Injury Family/Partner/Caregiver Support Group has been established.
"This is a group intended for families of persons who have had a moderate to severe brain injury," explains Paula Ealey, Regional Acquired Brain Injury Coordinator for Sun Country.
Through her work, Ealey found a need in the area for a specific support group directed at families and caregivers.
"We chose Stoughton because it is central. It will be open from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and will be held in the Pink Room at the New Hope Lodge," Ealey stated.
For the past two years there has been a group in Redvers, which meets during the day for both survivors and their families/partners/caregivers. Being as it is during the working day a number of individuals are unable to attend.
The group which has started in Stoughton, their first meeting having been held on Nov. 28, will run once a month for six months.
"Some of the topics we will discuss include challenges and triumphs, coping with loss, changes to roles and relationships, balancing dependence and independence, and communication challenges," Ealey said, "There will be coffee and cookies. People are welcome to come in and I'll start with basic information which will then prompt discussion."
"I'm hoping the group will be a place for people to share information amongst each other, to confirm their feelings are normal, without the worry of hurting a family member's feelings," Ealey explained, as families/partners/caregivers can struggle with many feelings if their loved one has acquired a brain injury.
It is a safe environment with people of similar situations coming together.
"It is a way to gain education and validation of feelings, to realize you're not alone, to feel empowered, to help deal with daily challenges, and foster hope," Ealey said.
It also provides a network of people who are possibly able to help one another discover what services are available in their communities.
"It's one of those things you can drop in at anytime. You can drop in at one, or if you can't make the first then you can always come to the next," stated Ealey, "People can always contact me for more information as well. Some have already heard about it and have called."
As this is the first family/caregiver group Ealey has begun, she will wait to see how large the group is and where the majority of individuals are attending from as this may lead to a change in location and time.
Currently the group will be meeting on Dec. 12, Jan. 16, Feb. 13, March 13, and April 17 in Stoughton, while the Redvers group open to those with an acquired brain injury and their family/partner/caregiver holds meetings every second Monday.
This particular group has been meeting for about two years and Ealey sees anywhere from three to 12 people attend. Previously they had been meeting in the late afternoon, but beginning in 2013 they will meet between 10 a.m. and noon as a number of individuals have expressed their fatigue levels in the afternoon are often low.
"This group has a consistent few people who come as well as new people and they are so welcoming. They give advice on everyday living, things people can really apply when they get back home," Ealey stated.
For more information on either support group contact Paula Ealey at (306)842-8315. She would be very happy to answer any questions.
