Support Groups

Amputees Together, Inc.

(Click Here) Amputees Together Brochure (PDF)

Amputees Together is a non-profit organization whose membership consists of upper and lower extremity amputees, their family and friends and interested healthcare professionals. Amputees Together, which is sponsored by Westcoast Brace & Limb, is affiliated with the American Amputee Foundation, Inc.

The road toward recovery from an amputation can be a bumpy one. Members of Amputees Together have traveled that road. Our goal is to help smooth some of those bumps by offering support and information.

Individuals who have personally gone through the process of rehabilitation following an amputation are available to make hospital visits and/or home visits to offer peer support and share their experiences and successes with the new amputee and his or her family. Physicians, hospital staff, case managers and other rehabilitation providers can make these requests to Amputees Together.

Amputees Together holds its meetings every other month at Westcoast Brace & Limb's North Tampa office located at 5311 E. Fletcher Ave. Meetings typically consist of both an informational/educational presentation by an area professional and a business meeting. Time is allowed for a "rap" session.

A Amputees Together provides a link with state, national and international amputee organizations and related groups to remain informed of current activities, issues and trends concerning the individual, family or professional interested in rehabilitation following an amputation.

For more information about Amputees Together or to be added to the mailing list, please contact Deann at (813) 985-5000 or deann@wcbl.com.

Tampa Bay Polio Survivors Support Group

What is Post-Polio Syndrome?

According to the latest estimates, some 50-75% of those who survived polio may experience some or all of the "late effects" of polio. These are new health problems, which appear to be related to polio and generally begin occurring some 30-40 years after the onset of polio.

Are you concerned about...

• Fatigue and general discomfort?
• A new feeling of weakness not noticed previously?
• An onset of joint and muscle pain that is affecting your daily life?
• New respiratory/pulmonary difficulties or sleep disturbances?
• Heightened stress affecting daily living?
• Lifestyle changes to better use and conserve your energy, including use of adaptive devices such as canes, braces, wheelchairs, scooters, etc.?
• New medical findings about the late effects of polio?
• Educating family, friends, and medical caregivers to better understand your physical and emotional

If you know that you had polio and exhibit some or all of the previous symptoms, you may be experiencing the late effects of polio.

The Tampa Bay Post-Polio Support Group is a Tampa Bay-based group of polio survivors that have come together to learn new and better ways of treating Post Polio Syndrome (PPS) from each other and professionals in the medical community. We don't have a cure for PPS, but many have learned how to cope. If you are a polio survivor and are now experiencing new problems, perhaps you should contact us. We are an information-oriented group, dedicated to providing help and support for all polio survivors. The group meets every other month in the evening at Westcoast Brace & Limb’s North Tampa office.

For more information or to be added to the mailing list, please contact Deann at (813) 985-5000 or at deann@wcbl.com.

Tampa Bay Chapter of the Scoliosis Association

The Tampa Bay Chapter of the Scoliosis Association serves as an information resource for adults and adolescents with Scoliosis. This organization is affiliated with the Scoliosis Association, Inc., a national information and support organization. The Tampa Bay Chapter will resume holding regular meetings, in Fall 2007, but if you need Scoliosis-related information, or for more information about other local chapters, please contact Deann at (813) 985-5000 or at deann@wcbl.com. The Scoliosis Association Inc. can be reached at (800) 800-0669 or (561) 994-4435 or www.scoliosis-assoc.org / normlipin@aol.com.