The Breeze Peer Support groups bring together people who are experiencing or have experienced SCI. Our support groups provide opportunities for our members to get out of the house, fellowship, meet new people, and learn about things pertaining to spinal cord injury. Breeze groups also gather for fun activities and outings.
All groups are meeting in person now. We ask you to contact your group leader to find out details about your groups meeting.
Carolina Group
Brian Denny
Led virtually by Brian Denny
Brian currently serves as the association's Outreach Coordinator and has been on staff for 7 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.
Group meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 1:30 PM EST.
brian@scspinalcord.org
803-252-2198 ext 11
Low Country Group
Led by Barbara Delia
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 have kept her busy physically and mentally. Being a Peer Group Leader for Low Country Breeze is very rewarding. Barbara enjoys assisting others and providing resources to help meet their needs. The Low Country group is special because they attend fun events, provide education, share meals, and develop friendships.
Group meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:00 PM EST.
Meeting place: MUSC Health Rehabilitation Hospital, affl. of Encompass Health, 9181 Medcom St. Charleston, SC 29406
Contact Barbara for more information.
deliabarbara68@yahoo.com
843-557-4827
Barbara Delia
Florence Group
This group meets the last Friday of the month at Encompass Health
900 E Cheves St. Florence, SC 29506
Contact Brian (brian@scspinalcord.org 803-252-2198) if you are interested.
Midlands Group
Led by Tonell Jenkins
Tonell Jenkins was rendered a C4-C7 Quadriplegic after injuring her neck for a second time in a car accident in December of 2002. Since then she fell from a vehicle wheelchair lift and broke both legs in 2 places (tibia and fibula), as well as experienced being hit by a car in the parking lot of her then apartment complex. But through it all, she remains an optimistic, happy, energetic person with a great sense of humor and a passion for learning and helping others. She hopes to bring motivation, inclusion and an overall sense of well-being to the group.
Group meets on the last Tuesday of the month @ 6:00 PM EST.
Meeting location:
R.L. Bryan building: 301 Greystone Blvd. Columbia, SC 29210
Contact Tonell for more information.
midlandsscileader@gmail.com
803-261-9972
Coastal (Myrtle Beach) Group
Led by Kaleigh Pecko, OTR and Allyson Apanowicz, PT
Kaleigh has worked as an Occupational Therapist at Grand Strand Medical Center for 7 years. The last 2 years, she’s worked hard alongside Allyson Apanowicz, PT, to create a Spinal Cord Injury Protocol to improve the quality of care of patients with acute SCI receive. Over the past two years, she wanted to assist w/ improving the community support and resources for individuals returning home from rehab; therefore, she is looking forward to co-hosting the Coastal Breeze Support Group.
Allyson has been a Physical Therapist for 22 years and have worked at Grand Strand Medical Center for the last 9 years. The last 2 years, she and Kaleigh have dedicated their time to create a SCI protocol and create resources for patients and family members to improve the education and care in the acute phase. She has been wanting to get involved with the community to improve local and state resources. She’s looking forward to supporting this group anyway she can.
Group meets on the Last Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM EST.
Grand Strand Medical Center 809 82nd Pkwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
Contact Kaleigh Pecko or Allyson Apanowicz.
Kaleigh.Turner@hchealthcare.com, Allyson.Apanowicz@hchealthcare.com
Rock Hill Group
This group is currently not meeting and looking for a leader/facilitator, preferably a person with an SCI or two people to share responsibilities. If you are interested in leading the group, or would like more information, please contact Brian@scspinalcord.org or call (803) 252-2198 ext 11.
Upstate Group
Led in person by Ashley Wilder and Kaylan Lance
Ashley has been a Physical Therapist for 11 years at Roger C Peace in Greenville focusing her career on working with people after they have experienced a spinal cord injury and other neurological injuries. One of her favorite experiences working at Roger C Peace has been volunteering with their adaptive sports programs. She has appreciated the resiliency she has seen in individuals after spinal cord injuries and wants to work to create a supportive community in the upstate. She hopes the community can be one where resources are shared and friendships are built.
Group meets on the third Thursday of the month at 6:00 PM EST.
Location varies, so contact Ashley at ashley.wilder@prismahealth.org for more information and questions.
No Breeze group in your area?
If you or someone you know is interested in starting a Breeze Peer Support Group, please call us at (803) 252-2198 ext. 11, or email brian@scspinalcord.org
Our staff will provide the assistance needed to get a group going in your local community. There is no number to small to start a group, but we do recommend having two individuals start the group together.