HINTON W.Va. (Hinton News) — A support group for individuals with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), stroke survivors, and their caregivers is set to resume monthly meetings after a hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Summers County ARH TBI, Stroke and Caregiver Support Group will hold its next meeting on July 8 at 5 p.m. in the conference room at Summers County ARH.
William Jones, a Summers County native and author of the “Peek into Summers County’s Past” series, helped establish the support group. Jones’s motivation for starting the group stems from his own experience. In 2017, he survived a severe automobile accident that left him with a traumatic brain injury and a subsequent massive stroke. After a three-month coma and a 5% chance of being functional, if he survived, Jones underwent extensive rehabilitation at Summers County ARH, where he relearned to walk and talk.
The idea for the support group emerged from Jones’s therapy sessions with Michael Anderson, a social therapist at Summers County ARH. Jones felt compelled to give back to the community after his recovery, seeing the group as a way for individuals with similar experiences to connect, share, and grow.
The group held its first meeting in February 2019 and was gaining momentum before being suspended due to the pandemic. Now, more than five years later, the meetings are restarting with some of the original attendees, including Jones’s mother, Cheryl Jones, retired Summers County Doctor Stanley Day, retired Summers County teacher Patty Stacklin, and Summers County ARH employees.
The revival of the support group coincides with Summers County ARH’s recent certification as a stroke-certified hospital. This designation, awarded by DNV based on standards from the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association, signifies the hospital’s dedicated stroke-focused program.
The group aims to expand its reach, providing information on various programs, general knowledge, and basic support to help individuals navigate their struggles.
