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
Temporarily led virtually by Gloria Stokely
Gloria is a board member and the Fundraising Committee Chair. She was injured in July 2004 and her level of injury is L4/L5/S1 known as a spinal cord injury called Cauda Equina Syndrome.
Group meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 1:30 PM EST.
development@scspinalcord.org
803-252-2198
Low Country Group
Barbara Delia
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
Florence Group
This group meets the last Friday of the month at Encompass Health
900 E Cheves St. Florence, SC 29506
Contact us at info@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 Kayleigh Pecko and Allyson Apanowicz
Kayleigh has worked as an Occupational Therapist at Grand Strand Medical Center for 7 years. Over the last 2 years, she has worked hard alongside Allyson Apanowicz, PT, to create a Spinal Cord Injury Protocol to improve the quality of care that patients with acute SCI receive. Over the past two years Kayleigh has wanted to assist with improving the community support and resources for individuals returning home from rehab and is looking forward to co-hosting the in-person Coastal Breeze Support Group.
Allyson has been a Physical Therapist for 22 years and has worked at Grand Strand Medical Center for the last 9 years. Over the last 2 years, Kaleigh , OTR and Allyson have dedicated their time to create a SCI protocol and resources for patients and family members to improve their education and care in the acute phase. She is interested in getting involved with the community to improve local and state resources. Allyson is looking forward to meeting all of you and supporting this group anyway she can.
Group meets the last Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM.
Grand Strand Medical Center 809 82nd Parkway | Myrtle Beach, SC
Email Kayleigh at Kaleigh.Turner@hcahealthcare.com for more information.
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 info@scspinalcord.org or call (803) 252-2198.
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.