The Breeze Peer Support groups bring together people who are going through or have gone through experiencing SCI. Our support groups provide opportunities for our members to share personal experiences and feelings, coping strategies,
or firsthand information about diseases or treatments. The groups also get together to do fun activities and outings as well.
Groups are meeting virtually, but some have planned in-person events. We are adhearing to CDC guidlines and ask that everyone wear a mask for all indoor meetings. Contact your group leader to find out if your group is meeting in person, or online.
If you do not have internet, smart phone, computer or tablet, you can still join the groups by telephone.
Below each group is a phone number. Call the number and put in the Meeting ID and passcode to join the meeting.
You do not have to just join the group in your area. Please feel free to join as many groups as you want.
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NEW GROUP - Caregiver Support Group (Virtual only)
Second Thursday of the month at 12:00 PM EST or 6:00 PM EST
To join the 12:00 PM EST group:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88679632295?pwd=M3Z0d0JoK0RXejBBOEhaNDJIZU9Hdz09
Meeting ID: 886 7963 2295
Passcode: 264405
Call-in at: +1 929 436 2866
To join the 6:00 PM EST group:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86518605648?pwd=Mm1SSUVDMlVGeWZQMER0SlhyTHlFUT09
Meeting ID: 865 1860 5648
Passcode: 361055
Call-in at: +1 929 436 2866
Carolina Breeze Group - Led by Brian Denny (virtual only)
Brian currently serves as the associations Outreach Coordinator and has been on staff for 4 years. He sustained a C3-4 injury in 2010 from a work accident. His favorite things to do are hanging with his family (and Tanner the dog), helping friends with projects, fishing, hunting, and being outdoors. This group is for anyone who wants to join, whether you are in one of the other groups, or not.
brian [at] scspinalcord.org
803-252-2198 ext 1001
Group meets every Wednesday @ 1:30 PM
Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84708256289?pwd=UFNPQkNxRTN5eHlhRVJaVWR2TzJFQT09
Call-in at: +1 929 436 2866
Meeting ID 847 0825 6289, Passcode 206456
Low Country Group - Led by Barbara Delia (virtual and in-person)
Barbara sustained a T-10/11 SCI and three traumatic brain injuries, on Sept. 17th, 2007. Since her injury, meeting challenges and learning different ways to accomplish everyday tasks has kept her busy physically and mentally. Being a Peer Group Leader for Low Country Breeze is very rewarding. She enjoys assisting others and providing resources to help meet their needs. Comforting new and long time members with knowledge and experience from our group is very rewarding. Going to fun events, providing education, sharing meals, and developing friendships is what makes our group special.
deliabarbara68 [at] yahoo.com
843-557-4826
Group meets the second Tuesday of the month @ 6:00 PM
Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88653104715?pwd=WUEwcXNkNmx3OGc0YW1xRE9yM2RCUT09
Call-in by telephone: 1 929 436 2866
Meeting ID: 886 5310 4715; Passcode: 107363
Spartanburg Group - Led by Dot Colson (virtual and in-person)
Dot sustained a T-12 injury from a boating accident in 2003. On sunny days you can find her floating in the pool. She has a love of extreme couponing. It’s not uncommon for Dot to have $25 to $30 in coupons per shopping trip. She loves the thrill of the deal! You can also find her cheering on the USC football team, or involved in DIY projects like making tufted headboards or staining cabinets. Also, she's enjoying an empty nest since her two adult children have flown the coop!
dotrcolson [at] gmail.com
864-621-6706
Group meets the third Tuesday of the month @ 6:15 PM
Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89239249064?pwd=WWVjaHpNUmNpZmtVampuOUF3QkVRQT09
Call-in by telephone: 1 929 436 2866
Meeting ID 892 3924 9064; Passcode 000603
Florence Group - Led by Shane Scurry (virtual and in-person)
Shane has a C6 injury and lives in Bishopville. He's a Graduate of the University of South Carolina with a major in Biology and Chemistry. He enjoys spending time with his family and Fiancée, grilling, cutting grass and watching College football. Shane absolutely love his group. Members say all the time, they identify more like a family than a group. Everyone displays respect towards each other and offers assistance with meetings and social events. He feels truly blessed to have such a close friendship with each of his members.
scurrys803 [at] gmail.com
803-459-4171
Group meets the last Thursday of the month @ 4:00 PM
Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88291022511?pwd=OUlMR2hYQUVaS0RyTnZqY3FkVndhZz09
Call-in by telephone: 1 929 436 2866
Meeting ID 883 9102 2511; Passcode 869777
Midlands Group - Led by Sherwood Toatley (virtual and in-person)
Forty years ago, at the age of 11, Sherwood had a C1/C2 incomplete spinal cord injury in a freak bicycle accident. he refused to allow his high level spinal cord injury get in the way of anything he wanted to accomplish. He started out in the workforce as a Receptionist at a local rehabilitation hospital which prepared him for his 30 plus year career as a 911 Dispatcher. He's also worked a number of years as a Spinal Cord Injury Peer Navigator for the Medical University of South Carolina while contributing to several research grants. Career opportunities have supported his love of travel, which has taken him as far as Paris and London. Sherwood has been volunteering with the South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Association since 2011, and has served on the Board of Directors. Since medical retirement, I continue to serve the SCI community, and those who have given so much of themselves towards his recovery. He prides himself in saying "my condition is not my conclusion”.
sl.toatley [at] gmail.com
803-238-2574
Group meets the last Tuesday of the month @ 6:00PM
Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81375280765?pwd=UnorSFBJTWFGTTUwUEdndXhNNDZaZz09
Call-in by telephone: 1 929 436 2866
Meeting ID 813 7528 0765; Passcode 340410
Coastal (Myrtle Beach) Group - Led by Veronica Tario (virtual and in-person)
Veronica is a Myrtle Beach native who enjoys surfing, horseback riding, painting and being out in nature. For someone who takes pleasure in being active, she wanted to create a group in which I could help show folks with disabilities that there plenty of ways to not only push the boundaries of your “limitations”, but to step outside of your comfort zone and live life to its fullest. After almost a decade of leading this group she has watched her members flourish, and in doing so facilitated in her growth as well. That reason alone is why she has continued this. So come join us and reap the benefits as so many others have!
veronicatario [at] gmail.com
315-440-4471
Group meets the first Thursday of the month @ 6:00PM
Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86731334466?pwd=OVhza2pIRXdTTThNakFPTVBqa2kvUT09
To call in to the Zoom meeting: +1 929 436 2866
Rock Hill/South Charlotte Group - Hannah Martin and Darci Pernoud (in-person)
In 2007, at the age of 18, Hannah was in a car accident that resulted in a C-4 spinal cord injury, leaving her paralyzed from the neck down. Knowing that she could not give up after her accident, she pursued her undergraduate degree at University of North Carolina at Charlotte and then went on and received her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Wake Forest University. She is passionate about helping others with similar injuries. Her love was and still is dance. Although she cannot physically dance anymore, she continues to teach through verbal instruction everyday. Hannah is very active and does not let anything get in her way!
Darci has a passion for helping others and this drove her to a Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy in 2005. Over 10 years of learning and training those with spinal cord injuries and neurological injuries at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta helped her to see how much their support groups and peer support group fostered community and success after life changing injuries. She hopes to serve her local SCI community by hosting peer support groups in South Charlotte and sharing resources, education and stories she’s learned from past clients, friends, and other disability community members.
darci [at] btirehab.com
980-272-7105
Meeting location is BTI rehab 4801 Chastain Ave suite 194, Charlotte, NC 28217
Group meets the third Thursday of the month @ 12:00 PM
Greenville Group - Led by Ashley Wilder (virtual and in-person)
Group will meet the third Thursday of the month at 6:00 PM
Location TBD
Contact Ashley @ Ashley.Wilder [at] prismahealth.org for information
No Breeze group in your area?
If you or anyone you know is interested in starting one, please call us at (803) 252-2198 or brian [at] scspinalcord.org.
Our staff will provide the assistance needed to get a group going in your local community.
If you are interested in being a Breeze Peer Support Group Leader, click on the position description for more information.