Resources

Outside organizations

FOCUS (families of Children Under Stress): When a child is diagnosed with a lifelong disability FOCUS offers comfort, information, and programs for the child and other family members. FOCUS reaches over 2,500 families in metro Atlanta and surrounding counties. www.focus-ga.org

Parent to Parent of Georgia, Inc.: Looking for information on one-on-one parent peer support groups? Parent to Parent of Georgia supports multiple aspects of raising a special needs child. www.parenttoparentofga.org

Adult Sports

Adaptive Tennis
: Free lessons at Blackburn Tennis Center in Atlanta provided by Ron Walker. Call 770.998.2296



Horseback Riding
: Chastain Horse Park is a premiere equestrian facility, dedicated to serving riders with disabilities though Therapeutic Riding Programs.
 http://www.chastainhorsepark.org/index.php

Horseback Riding
: Little Creek Farm Conservancy promote the stewardship of Little Creek Farm for equine activities, including educational, environmental and recreational programs for the general public.
 http://www.littlecreekfarmconservancy.org/LCFC/Home.html

Other Resources:
 Rec. Therapist at Shepherd Center: nick_sorchych-hoffman@shepard.org or chris_ravotti@shepherd.org

Listserves

Yahoo Groups:

SpinaBifidaCentral: Focus on supporting both parents and adults.

SBParents: This forum supports parents more than adults living with spina bifida.

adult_females_with_spina_bifida: Discussions center around womens’ issues and having a disability.

*there are other groups you can locate by searching “yahoo groups spina bifida”

Adaptive Equipment

Center for Assistive Technology & Environmental Access: 
This resource uses technology to help people with disabilities live, learn, play and work. This organization supports research, educational programs, and design and development of devices.
 Website: www.catea.org 


Georgia Project for Assistive Technology, Inc.
: Organization provides services, training on devices, and resources to parents, teachers, and school staff.
 Website:www.gpat.org

Georgia Tools for Life: 
Assists individuals with disabilities in obtaining devices and services needed to live in the community of their choice.
 Website: www.gatfl.org


SBAG Supply Closet: 
Resource for free equipment to any person living with Spina Bifida.
 SBAG Supply Closet

Advocacy

Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities
: Services include support for job and recreation programs as well as prevention, public policy, education and training. Website: www.aadd.org

Family Voices: 
Information and education concerning the health care of special needs children.
 www.familyvoices.org/st/georgia.html

Georgia Advocacy Office: 
Advocates for individual rights, assistive devices, and other assistance for people with developmental disabilities and mental challanges. Website: 
www.thegao.org

The Arc of Georgia:
 Covers legislative issues that affect people with developmental disabilities. Website: www.arcga.org

Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities in Georgia:
 State planning council in charge of public policy research, analysis and reform. 
www.gcdd.org

Education Materials

National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
Provides FREE materials on folic acid for individuals, state campaigns, and health professionals.
www.cdc.gov/folicacid

Healthcare Services

PEDIATRIC CARE
Children’s Hospital of Atlanta (CHOA) Spina Bifida Clinic: 
Spina Bifida clinic is attended by neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, urologists, orthopaedic specialists, physical therapists, social workers, and orthotic specialists.
 Phone: 404.785.2490 Website: 
www.choa.org/default.aspx?id=1014


Medical College of Georgia Myelomeningocele & Related Disorders Team
: Pediatric Neurosurgery Group for Augusta, GA.
 Phone: 706.721.3071 Website: 
www.mcg.edu

Shriners Hospitals for Children: Greenville 
Phone: 864.271.3444 Website: 
www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Greenville

ADULT CARE
Emory Healthcare & Emory University Clinic: 
www.emoryhealthcare.org
Emory Orthopaedic and Spine Center
: Phone: 404.778.7000
Emory Spine Center
: Phone 404.778.3350
Emory Orthopedics: 

www.emoryhealthcare.org

The Marcus Institute: 
Phone 404.419.4000 / Website: www.marcus.org

Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation: (Warm Springs, GA)
Phone 706.655.5000 / Website: 
www.rooseveltrehab.org

Shepherd Center: 
Phone: 404.352.2020 / Website: 
www.shepherd.org

**There is no Adult Clinic in Atlanta