Since we've never really had time to update this page properly, it's gathered dust for a couple of years and we've decided to take it down (all but the list of
COSHs). The links below are the best we know of to look for support group info.
Can't find a local group? Consider starting one! We need more support groups. They are a wonderful way of networking - of finding out who the good docs and therapists are in your town - which workers' comp lawyers people are pleased with, etc. Support groups can provide an incredible information pool and be a tremendous resource, especially for
newbies.
And, of course, sometimes it's just good to talk to people who *really* understand what you're going through. These are such mysterious injuries - so hidden. Most of us have heard the old, "Well, you look healthy to me."
A support group can be as informal as a once-a-month meeting in a local coffee shop. It doesn't have to be a big deal or demand a huge commitment of time and energy. After all, we're injured. But it's great to have a support group nearby so, if you find your town lacks one, why not take the initiative. At the very least, it'll help take your mind off your injuries.
ARMS (Association for Repetitive Motion Injuries) provides "Assistance and advice in the formation of regional support groups for those affected by repetitive motion syndromes and referral to local resources" if you decide to start a group.
Pages With Support Group Info
Scott Wright's TIFAQ (Typing Injury FAQ) has a regularly updated
RSI Support/Injured Worker Groups page.
Paul Marxhausen's site has a Support Groups page.
Both of these sites feature some international listings. You can also check the ARMS site (mentioned above) or contact them.
www.VirginiaRSI.org is a Virginia-based
group whose website went live recently.
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"Centers for Occupational Safety & Health (COSH) are good resources for information, training, etc. in all areas of occupational safety and health. Most have a membership category for low-income. Utilize them as
a resource, join and support them, become active--help is always needed.
If the COSH in your area does not have an RSI Task Force, ask to form one. --Trina"
Listed by State (Canada is at the bottom)
ALASKA
Alaska Health Project
218 East 4th Avenue
90 Anchorage, AK 99501
907-276-2864 - Fax: 907-279-3089
CALIFORNIA
Worksafe/Francis Schreiberg
c/o San Fran. Labor Council
660 Howard St, 3rd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
415-543-2699 - Fax: 415-882-4999
LACOSH (Los Angeles COSH)
5855 Venice Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90019
213-931-9000 - Fax: 213-931-2255
SA-COSH (Sacramento COSH)
c/o Fire Fighters, Local 522
3101 Stockton Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95820
916-442-4390 - Fax: 916-446-3057
SCCOSH (Santa Clara COSH)
760 N. 1st Street
San Jose, CA 95112
408-998-4050 - Fax: 408-998-4051
CONNECTICUT
ConnectiCOSH
77 Huyshoup Ave., 2nd floor
Hartford, CT 06106
203-549-1877 - Fax: 203-251-6049
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Alice Hamilton Occupational Health Center
410 Seventh Street, S.E.
Washington, DC 20003
202-543-0005 (DC) - 301-731-8530 (MD)
Fax: 202-543-1327 (DC) - Fax: 301-731-4142 (MD)
ILLINOIS
CACOSH (Chicago Area)
c/o Mike Ross,UIC School of Public Health
Great Lakes Center,M/C-922
2121 West Taylor Street
Chicago, IL 60612-7260
312-996-2747 - Fax: 312-413-7369
MAINE
Maine Labor Group on Health
Box V
Augusta, ME 04330
207-622-7823 - Fax: 207-622-3483 or 207-623-4916
MASSACHUSETTS
MassCOSH
555 Amory Street
Boston, MA 02130
617-524-6686 - Fax: 617-524-3508
Western MassCOSH
458 Bridge Street
Springfield, MA 01103
413-731-0760 - Fax: 413-732-1881
e-mail: Masscosh@external.umass.edu
MICHIGAN
SEMCOSH (Southeast Michigan)
1550 Howard Street
Detroit, MI 48216
313-961-3345
Fax: 313-961-3588
MINNESOTA
MnCOSH
c/o Lyle Krych
5013 Girard Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55430
612-572-6997 - Fax: 612-572-9826
NEW HAMPSHIRE
NHCOSH
110 Sheep Davis Road
Pembroke, NH 03275
603-226-0516 - Fax: 603-225-1956
NEW YORK
ALCOSH (Alleghany COSH)
100 East Second Street
Jamestown, NY 14701
716-488-0720 - Fax: 716-487-0968
e-mail: alcosh@netsync.net
CNYCOSH (Central New York)
615 W. Genessee Street
Syracuse, NY 13204
315-471-6187 - Fax 315-471-6193
e-mail: eameltz@mailboxsyr.edu
ENYCOSH (Eastern New York)
c/o Larry Rafferty
121 Erie Blvd
Schenectady, NY 12305
518-372-4308 - Fax: 518-393-3040
NYCOSH (New York)
275 Seventh Ave, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10001
212-627-3900 - Fax: 212-627-9812
914-939-5612 (Lower Hudson) - 516-273-1234 (Long Island)
e-mail: 71112.1020@compuserve.com
ROCOSH (Rochester COSH)
46 Prince Street
Rochester, NY 14607
716-244-0420 - Fax: 716-244-0956
e-mail: SPULA@DBI.cc.Rochester.edu
WYNCOSH (Western NY)
2495 Main Street, Suite 438
Buffalo, NY 14214
716-833-5416 - Fax: 716-833-7507
NORTH CAROLINA
NCOSH
P.O.Box 2514
Durham, NC 27715
919-286-9249 - Fax: 919-286-4857
e-mail: HN2100@Handsnet.org
OREGON
c/o Dick Edgington
ICWU-Portland
7440 SW 87 Street
Portland, OR 07223
503-244-8429 - No Fax
PENNSYLVANIA
PhilaPOSH (Philadelphia POSH)
3001 Walnut St, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-386-7000 - Fax: 215-386-3529
RHODE ISLAND
RICOSH
741 Westminster Street
Providence, RI 02903
401-751-2015
Fax: 401-751-7520
TEXAS
TexCOSH
c/0 Karyl Dunson
5735 Regina
Beaumont, TX 77706
409-898-1427-No Fax
WASHINGTON
WASHCOSH
6770 E. Marginal Way S.
Seattle, WA 98108
206-767-7426 - Fax: 206-762-6433
e-mail: washcosh@igc.apc.org
WISCONSIN
WisCOSH
734 North 26th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53230
414-933-2338 - Fax: 414-342-1998
WATROUS@CSD.EDU
CANADA
Ontario
WOSH (Windsor OSH)
547 Victoria Avenue
Windsor, Ontario N9A 4N1
519-254-5157 - Fax: 519-254-4192
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The LA RSI Support Group can be contacted at asklarsi@yahoo.com.