Support Groups
This is support-group contact information for people dealing with vestibular disorders. Some of these groups may be linked to other networks or organizations. They may be led by patients, health professionals, or others. Their size, scope, and agendas vary widely. All are financially and legally independent of VEDA.
Effective support groups often reach out to the community to gain greater knowledge about vestibular disorders. Read about a recent meeting of the Boston-area Support Group that included a tour and demonstration of vestibular testing equipment.
When we polled vestibular support group leaders, we found that the most successful groups meet in a public venue at least monthly, publicize their activities by using many media platforms, and invite local clinicians and guest speakers to keep community interest high. Please let us help you be successful by publicizing your meetings with us!
Support groups that meet face-to-face
Support groups that meet online only
Effective support groups often reach out to the community to gain greater knowledge about vestibular disorders. Read about a recent meeting of the Boston-area Support Group that included a tour and demonstration of vestibular testing equipment.
Support Group Leaders: Help from VEDA
If you administer a vestibular disorders support group, we're eager to help. Currently, VEDA can assist you by publishing contact information for new or established groups. Please e-mail us with the group's meeting address, contact person with e-mail and/or phone, Web site, and how often you meet. We also encourage support group leaders to join us on Facebook, where you can post your group's activities or about your interest in forming a group.When we polled vestibular support group leaders, we found that the most successful groups meet in a public venue at least monthly, publicize their activities by using many media platforms, and invite local clinicians and guest speakers to keep community interest high. Please let us help you be successful by publicizing your meetings with us!
Support groups that meet online only
Face-to-Face Groups
Alabama
Alaska
- Anchorage
Brenda Boyden
Alaska Dizziness & Balance Center
4001 Laurel St., Ste. 204
Anchorage, AK 99508
(907) 561-2102
e-mail
Arizona
- Phoenix
Amy Alexander, PT
Shelly Massingale, PT
Banner Vestibular Support Group
Banner Good Samaritan Rehabilitation Institute
Conference Room B
1012 E. Willetta
Phoenix, AZ 85006
(602) 839-5230
Amy: e-mail
Shelly: e-mail
This group meets monthly.
California
- Downey
Sonja Kiseljak, DPT
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
7601 E. Imperial Highway
Downey, CA 90242
(949) 433-1777
e-mail
Meets on the first Thursday of each month at 3:15 pm.
Colorado
- Colorado Springs
Jenna Saunders, PT
Colorado Springs Balance and Dizziness Support Group
(719) 632-2220
mailing address: LifeJourney OutPatient Rehab
2520 International Cir.
Colorado Springs, CO 80910
e-mail
meeting location: The Inn at Garden Plaza
2520 International Cir.
Colorado Springs, CO
Florida
- Jupiter
Co-leaders: Rose Ann Curboy, MS, OTR/L and Dianna Nuquist, OTA/L
Dizziness and Balance Support Group of South Florida
meeting location: 210 Jupiter Lakes Blvd., Bldg. 5000, Ste. 106
Jupiter, FL 33458
(561) 745-0028
e-mail
Web page - Sarasota
Vicki Alexander, LPN, PT
Silverstein Institute
1901 Floyd St.
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 366-9222
e-mail
Georgia
- Atlanta
Gaye Cronin, OTD, OTR
Atlanta Vestibular Disorders Support Group
Atlanta Ear Clinic
980 Johnson Ferry Rd. NE, Ste. 470
Atlanta, GA 30342
(404) 851-9093
e-mail
Web page
meeting location: Northside Hospital Auditorium or St. Joseph's Hospital classrooms
Hawaii
Idaho
- Meridian
Gayle Hynes, PT
Dayna Olson, PT
Hearing and Balance Centers of the Elks
520 S. Eagle Rd., Ste. 1225
Meridian, ID 83642
(208) 489-5999
Gayle: e-mail
Dayna: e-mail
This group meets four to six times a year.
Illinois
- Chicago
Michele A. Kehrer, PT, DPT, ATC
LifeStyle Physical Therapy & Balance Ctr.
3130 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 525-5200
e-mail
The next meeting is scheduled for September 11, 2010 and features a guest speaker.
Indiana
Kansas
- Greater Kansas City Area
Susan Thomas
Balancing Life with Vestibular Disorders (BLVD)
meeting location: Turning Point Center for Hope and Healing.Meets the third Sunday of each month.
8900 State Line Road, Ste. 240 except during summer or December
Overland Park, KS
(913) 390-9859 - Kansas City
Mike Sharp
Dizziness and Balance Disorders Support Group
5818 Meadow Heights Dr.
Shawnee, KS 66226
(913) 441-0890
e-mail
Maine
- Portland
Paul Albert MS, PT
Portland Area Vestibular and Balance Disorders Support Group
mailing address: 43 Baxter Blvd.
Portland, ME 04101
e-mail
meeting location: Woodfords Congregational Church
202 Woodfords St
Portland, ME 04103
Maryland
-
Baltimore
Laura Long, PT
Dizziness Support Group
Good Samaritan Hospital, Outpatient Rehab
5601 Loch Raven Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21239
(443) 444-4600, ext. 12657
e-mail
Massachusetts
- Metro Boston
Claire Haddad
Boston-Area Vestibular Disorders Support Group
10 Heritage Ln.
Cohasset, MA 02025
(781) 383-0253 (please call between 9am and 8pm)
e-mail
meeting location: Newton-Wellesley Hospital
Newton, MA
Michigan
Minnesota
Nevada
- Las Vegas (Summerlin)
Brian K. Werner, MPT
Vestibular Support Group
Werner Institute of Balance and Dizziness
7660 West Cheyenne Ave., Ste. 114
Las Vegas, NV 89129
(702) 880-1515
e-mail
This group meets twice yearly on average and would like to increase that frequency.
New Jersey
New York
- Albany
Gail L. Steslow
Capital District Meniere's Disease Support Group
59 Virginia Blvd.
Scotia, NY 12302
e-mail
(518) 393-5229 - Buffalo
Randy S. Atlas
Dizziness & Balance Support Group of Western New York
PO Box 466
Buffalo, NY 14215
e-mail
Ohio
- Lyndhurst (Cleveland)
Mohamed A. Hamid, MD, PhD
Diane Kish, RN
Meniere's Support Group of Cleveland
Cleveland Hearing and Balance Center
29001 Cedar Rd., Ste. 203
Lyndhurst, OH 44124
(440) 684-9970
This group meets one to two times yearly. - Euclid (Cleveland)
Larry Maurer
Tinnitus Support Group - Cleveland
meeting location: Cleveland Clinic Euclid Hospital
18901 Lake Shore Blvd.
Euclid, OH
mailing address: 9680 Glenstone Dr.
Kirkland, OH 44094
(440) 256-8023
e-mail - Parma (Cleveland)
Larry Maurer
Tinnitus Support Group - Cleveland
meeting location: Health Education Center
7300 State Rd.
Parma, OH
mailing address: 9680 Glenstone Dr.
Kirkland, OH 44094
(440) 256-8023
e-mail
Oregon
Pennsylvania
- Willow Grove
Margaret Fitzpatrick, PT, DPT, OCS
Willow Grove Physical Therapy
1001 Easton Rd., 101 Manor
Willow Grove, PA 19090
(215) 659-7759
Web page
Texas
- Austin
Bridgett Wallace, PT
Dizziness & Balance Disorders Support Group
360° Balance
7900 Shoal Creek Blvd., Ste. 200
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 345-4664
e-mail
Web page
Virginia
- Norfolk
Marlene Kuntz, PT
Norfolk Fitness & Wellness Center
7300 Newport Ave., Suite 300
Norfolk, VA 23505
This group meets every other month.
Washington
- Seattle
Seattle Vestibular Disorders Support Group
Facilitator: Cheryl Rowe
meeting location: Pacific Balance & Rehabilitation Clinic
400 Mercer, Ste. 302
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 448-1906
e-mail
Web page
This group meets from 12 pm to 2 pm on the first Saturday of each month. - Tumwater (South Puget Sound area)
Kristyn (Missy) Hirschmann, DPT
Providence Tumwater Physical Therapy Clinic
4833 Tumwater Valley Dr., Ste. 150
Tumwater, WA 98501
(360) 493-5806
kristyn.hirschman@providence.org
This group meets from 7-8 pm on the third Thursday of each month.
Wisconsin
Canada
- Acoustic Neuroma Association of Canada
http://www.anac.ca/chapters.html
This is a comprehensive list of acoustic neuroma support groups throughout Canada. - St. John's, NL
Brian Marshall
Canadian Hard of Hearing Association, Newfoundland and Labrador (CHHA-NL)
136 Crosbie Rd., Ste. 103
St. John's, NL A1B 3K3
(709) 753-3224
Fax: (709) 753-5640
email - Toronto, ON
Co-leaders: Heather DesRoches, RN; Don Lynch
Meniere's Support Group
30 Gloucester St.
Toronto, ON
(416) 340-3666
Fax: (416) 340-3745
e-mail
This group meets monthly. - Vancouver, BC
B.C. Balance and Dizziness Disorders Society
Box 325 - 5525 West Blvd.
Vancouver, BC V6M 3W6
604-878-8383
1-866-780-2233 (toll free)
e-mail
Web page
This group meets bi-monthly. - Winnipeg, MB
Joanne Craig
Winnipeg Meniere's Support Group
c/o Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (Manitoba Chapter)
825 Sherbrook St.
Winnipeg, MB R3A 1M5
(204) 975-3037
email
Web page
Europe
- United Kingdom
Glen Swanwick, Chair
Wendy Hales, Fundraiser
Dizzy Self Help Support Group
12 Ridgewood Drive, Chilwell
Nottingham (Robin Hood), England NG9 5NW
meeting location: Self Help Nottingham UK.
This group meets and additionally holds therapeutic outings bi-monthly.
New Zealand
- Wellington
Meniere's Support Group
PO Box 19-038
Courtenay Place
Wellington
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