DONATE
Search
Facebook-f Instagram X-twitter Youtube

Support Group

The Maine Brain Aneurysm Support Group offers information, education, encouragement, and understanding to all individuals who have been affected by a brain aneurysm.

Survivors, family members, caregivers, and anyone interested are welcome to attend. The meetings will provide information and education on a variety of topics relating to the treatment and recovery process for both survivors and caregivers. At every other meeting, we aim to have a guest speaker who gives short presentations and then opens the floor for discussion.

The meetings also provide an opportunity for reassurance and personal exchange between survivors and caregivers.

Please be aware that these meetings are not held to offer specific medical advice, but to provide peer support and education. This is a great place for you to meet and share with others who have been through similar experiences.

JOIN US!

DAY: The LAST THURSDAY of each month
TIME: 6-7:30 pm EST
ONLINE: Meetings are held via ZOOM. Prior registration is required.

Topic Schedule

NEXT SUPPORT GROUP

May 28, 2026 at 6pm EST on ZOOM

Join us on March 27th at 6PM EST on ZOOM

Due to the calendar conflict of our end of month meeting schedule with Thanksgiving, and Christmas, we WILL NOT have a support group meeting in November or December.  

Instead, we will have a joint “Holiday Social” with the Maine Brain Aneurysm Awareness Committee.  This fun evening will be held on 6:00PM on Thursday, December 11th at the Stockhouse, Westbrook  We will resume our regular schedule in January 2026 of meeting the last Thursday evening of the month.

Join us for information, encouragement, and understanding for those affected by brain aneurysms.
 
PLEASE EMAIL Dave@MaineBA.org to REGISTER for the meeting and we’ll send you the REQUIRED LINK to join the meeting.
PLEASE EMAIL Dave@MaineBA.org if you have questions or concerns in the interim between meetings.

Reasons to Attend

  • If you have been recently diagnosed with a brain aneurysm and are now facing treatment.
  • If you are frightened, and want to better understand your condition.
  • If you are a concerned family member who wants to support a relative who has been diagnosed with a brain aneurysm.
  • If you suffered a sudden hemorrhage from a brain aneurysm, underwent treatment, and are going through the recovery process.
  • If a loved one has passed away from a hemorrhaged brain aneurysm, and you want more information about this illness.
2026 Support Group Topics
  • 07/29/26: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 06/24/26: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 05/27/26: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 04/30/26: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 03/26/26: ZOOM – “Energy Balance & Cognitive Distortions” Taryn Barlow, M.S.CCC-SLP; CBIS; CIHC 
  • 02/26/26: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 01/29/26: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 12/25/25: NO MEETING due to Christmas holiday.
  • 11/27/25: NO MEETING due to Thanksgiving holiday.
  • 10/30/25: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 09/25/25: ZOOM – Matthew Johnson, MaineHealth Neurosurgery PA, TOPIC: Back to the Basics of Brain Aneurysms
  • 08/28/25: ZOOM – DHHS Services Available in Maine with Allison LeClair, Brain Injury Case Coordinator
  • 07/31/25: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 06/26/25: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 05/29/25: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 04/24/25: ZOOM – Navigating Services and Supports after Brain Injury with Katy Bizier, MPH, MEd, Senior NeuroResource Facilitator, Brain Injury Assoc, Maine Chapter
  • 03/27/25: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 02/27/25: ZOOM – Impact of Poststroke Fatigue on Patient Outcomes with Deb Gregoire
  • 01/30/25: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 12/26/24: NO MEETING due to Christmas and New Year holidays.
  • 11/28/24: NO MEETING due to Thanksgiving holiday.
  • 10/31/24: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 09/26/24: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 08/29/24: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 07/25/24: ZOOM – Ralph Preston, founder of Stroke Buddies
  • 06/27/24: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 05/30/24: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 04/25/24: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 03/29/24: ZOOM – Gia Patel, Survivor video “Beyond A Headache”
  • 02/29/24: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 01/25/24: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 12/28/23: NO MEETING due to Christmas & New Year holidays
  • 12/07/23: Holiday Social, location TBD
  • 11/30/23: NO MEETING due to Thanksgiving holiday
  • 10/26/23: ZOOM – Deborah Gregoire, MMC – Post Stroke Fatigue
  • 9/28/23: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 8/21/23: ZOOM – Laura Lorenz, PhD – PhotoVoice
  • 7/27/23: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 6/29/23: ZOOM – Deborah Gregoire, MMC – Neuroplasticity
  • 5/25/23: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 4/27/23: ZOOM – Deborah Gregoire, MMC Stroke Program – Neuroplasticity
  • 3/30/23: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 2/23/23: ZOOM – Angela Leclerc, MSPA, PA-C – NeuroCOPE program
  • 1/26/23: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 12/29/22: NO MEETING due to Christmas & New Year holidays
  • 12/08/22: Holiday Social, Stockhouse Pub, Westbrook, ME
  • 11/24/22: NO MEETING due to Thanksgiving holiday
  • 10/27/22: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 9/29/22: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 8/25/22: ZOOM – Stryker Neurovascular – Coils & Stents use for treatment
  • 7/28/22: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 6/30/22: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 5/26/22: ZOOM – What do you wish you were told after your brain aneurysm?
  • 4/28/22: ZOOM – Anne Moreau, Brain Health
  • 3/31/22: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 2/24/22: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 1/27/22: ZOOM – Tom Broussard, Stroke Educator
  • 12/30/21: NO MEETING due to Christmas holiday
  • 12/09/21: Holiday Social, Torilla Flats, Portland
  • 11/25/21: NO MEETING due to Thanksgiving holiday
  • 10/28/21: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 09/30/21: ZOOM – Brina Kelly – occupational therapist
  • 09/18/21: JOIN US at the KAT-WALK & KARO-5k
  • 08/26/21: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 07/29/21: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 06/24/21: ZOOM – Dr. Stephanie Chan, MD – Neuro-fatigue
  • 05/27/21: Open Forum – In-Person
  • 04/29/21: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 03/25/21: ZOOM – Eryn Martin, Making Headway podcast
  • 02/25/21: ZOOM – Deborah Gregoire, Stroke Program Manager @ Maine Medical Center
  • 01/28/21: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 12/03/20: ZOOM – Nikki Busmanis, Maine 211 & Survivor concerns
  • 10/29/20: ZOOM – Open Forum & Survivor concerns
  • 09/24/20: Campfire Meeting – Survivor concerns
  • 08/27/20: Open Forum – Survivor concerns
  • 07/30/20: Open Forum – Survivor concerns
  • 06/25/20: Reactivation Social Gathering – Open Forum
  • 05/28/20: MEETING CANCELLED (Covid19 Compliance)
  • 04/30/20: MEETING CANCELLED (Covid19 Compliance)
  • 03/26/20: MEETING CANCELLED (Covid19 Compliance)
  • 02/28/20: Open Forum – Survivor concerns
  • 01/30/20: Gretchen Schoenfield, PhD – Psychological Aspects of Brain Injury
  • 12/26/19: NO MEETING due to Christmas holiday
  • 12/12/19: Holiday Social, Torilla Flats, Portland
  • 11/28/19: NO MEETING due to Thanksgiving holiday
  • 10/31/19: NO MEETING due to Halloween
  • 09/26/19: Open Forum – Survivor concerns
  • 08/29/19: Cory Hall, Neurologic Physical Therapist
  • 07/25/19: Open Forum – Survivor concerns
  • 06/27/19: Dr. Robert Ecker – MMC Neurosurgeon
  • 05/30/19: Open Forum – Welcome New Families
  • 04/25/19: Open Forum – Survivor concerns
  • 03/28/19: Personal Trainer – Tia Parady
  • 02/28/19: Open Forum – Welcome New Families
  • 01/31/19: Dr. Susan Williams, Neuroendovascular Surgeon
  • 12/27/18: NO MEETING due to Christmas holiday
  • 12/13/18: Holiday Social, Torilla Flats, Portland
  • 11/29/18: NO MEETING due to Thanksgiving holiday
  • 10/25/18: Sarah Gaffney – Brain Injury Association
  • 09/27/18: Open Forum – Introduction to new families
  • 08/30/18: Open Forum on survivor concerns
  • 07/26/18: Three Therapists – Managing Everyday Life
  • 06/28/18: Open Forum on survivor concerns
  • 05/31/18: Liz Korabek-Emerson – Mindfullness Instructor
  • 04/26/18: Open Forum on survivor concerns
  • 03/29/18: TED Talk Video: “A Stroke of Insight”
  • 02/22/18: Open Forum on survivor concerns.
  • 01/25/18: Memory Strategies – Dr. Heather McClelland.
  • 12/14/17: Holiday Social, Tortilla Flats, Portland.
  • 11/23/17: Thanksgiving – NO MEETING due to holiday
  • 10/26/17: Neurologic Music Therapy – Kate Beever, Neurologic Music Therapist
  • 9/28/17: Open Forum on survivor concerns.
  • 9/9/17: KAT-Walk & Karo-5K for Brain Aneurysm Awareness – Back Cove, Portland
  • 8/31/17: Open Forum on survivor concerns.
  • 7/27/17: “Emotional and Personality Changes including Grieving, Denial, Anger, Frustration & Depression” – Dr. Mark Kiefner, Neuropsychologist, MMC
  • 6/29/17: Open Forum on survivor concerns.
  • 5/25/17: “Updates in Brain Aneurysm Treatments” – Dr. Robert Ecker, Maine Medical Partners Neurosurgery
  • 4/27/17: Open Forum on survivor concerns.
  • 3/30/17: “Rehabilitation after Brain Aneurysm Rupture” – Dr. Thomas Savadove, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, MMC
  • 2/23/17: Open Forum on survivor concerns.
  • 1/26/17: “Ruptured Brain Aneurysms & ICU” – Dr. David Seder, Director of Neurocritical Care, MMC
  • 12/8/16: Holiday Social – Tortilla Flats, Portland
  • 11/24/16: Thanksgiving – NO MEETING due to holiday
  • 10/29/16: Sarah Gaffney from BIA and Open Forum
  • 9/29/16: Open Forum on survivor concerns.
  • 9/17/16: KAT-Walk & Karo-5k for Brain Aneurysm Awareness – Back Cove, Portland
  • 8/25/16: Jason Crigler – special presentation in auditorium at Dana Center, MMC
  • 7/28/16: View film “Life, Support, Music” – AVM Survivor Story
  • 6/23/16: Open Forum on survivor concerns.
  • 5/26/16: Pipeline Embolization treatment for brain aneurysm – Dr. Chris Baker
  • 4/28/16: Open Forum for discussion
  • 3/31/16: “Healing, Hope, and Empathy on the Road to Recovery” – Dr. Mark Kiefner, Neuropsychologist
  • 2/25/16: Open Forum on survivor concerns.
  • 1/28/16: Open group discussion
  • 12/10/15: Holiday Social
  • 10/29/15: Yoga to Relieve Anxiety & Stress – Sara Perry
  • 9/24/15: Open Forum for discussion
  • 8/27/15: Changes in Personality after Aneurysm – Dr. Thomas Miller
  • 7/30/15: Open Forum for discussion
  • 6/25/15: Memory Strategies – Dr. Alex Hoyt
  • 5/28/15: Open Forum for discussion
  • 4/29/15: Advancements in Aneurysm Treatments – Dr. Robert Ecker
  • 3/28/15: Open forum for discussion
  • 2/26/15: Headaches-Dr. Paul Muscat
  • 1/29/15: Meet Dr. Matthew Sanborn from Maine Medical Partners Neurosurgery
  • 11/27/14: NO MEETING due to Holiday
  • 10/30/14: Coping and Grief-Dr. Howard Kunin
  • 9/25/14: Headache & Meds Research- Elizabth Glisic, Pharm. D.
  • 8/28/14: Healthy Living- Dr. Syed Kazmi
  • 7/25/14: SAH and the ICU- Dr. David Seder
  • 6/27/14: Headaches – Dr. Paul Muscat
  • 5/30/14: Memory Strategies – Dr. Heather McClelland
  • 3/28/14: New Technology in Aneurysm Treatment – Dr. Robert Ecker
  • 2/28/14: Presentation by Brain Aneurysm Foundation & formation of group

Additional Support

Family Assistance Fund

This assistance is our small way to help put family members at ease, giving them the ability to focus on what is most crucial – the health and well-being of their loved one during a difficult time.

Learn More