Support Groups

It often seems that you're alone with this disease, either as someone that tested positive or as a caregiver. But if you make just a little effort you will be amazed at the amount of support that is available to you.

Once you start working with a support group you will begin to realize that you don't need to deal with this disease alone and that can be a major source of stress relief.

In the State of Texas, there are seven HDSA assisted support groups. You may be fortunate enough to find a local support group that meets anywhere from once a month to once every three months.

If you can't find a local support group then please participate in a cyber-support group. There are several and you should visit each one, introduce yourself and participate. You'll be amazed at how much help they can be. For online-support visit hdac.org and click on "Message Board" under "Places to Visit".

Abilene Peer-led Group

The Abilene group has temporarily disbanded.
Call Shirley Roys at (325) 690-1031 if you'd like to participate in restarting the group or just wish to talk to someone about HD support in the area.

Austin Area Support Group/ Facilitated by a Social Worker

The Austin Area Support Group is an active group that meets the first Thursday of each month (except for January which is the second Thursday).

Click here for the the location and the latest news and updates about HDSA Austin.

Dallas/Denton/Grapevine/Ft. Worth Support Group

New Location! This group meets the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM. We have a meeting space at HEB Hospital in Bedford, 1600 Hospital Parkway, Bedford, TX 76022. AMB Conference Room

The easiest way to get to HEB from either direction is: Exit on Central Drive then take the access road EAST to HEB Hospital. Pass the fitness center on the right and go to the entrance at the bottom of the hill. Turn into the entrance road and park as close to the first building as possible. This is the Edward's Cancer Center. The entrance is in the middle of the first building. Go thru the revolving door and our AMB Conference Room is on the right adjacent to the rest rooms.

Contact Cheryl Lenheiser at the HDSA Texas Helpline (972) 724-1367 or (800) 910-6111 for more information.

    Meetings are scheduled for:
  • January 15, 2008
  • February 19, 2008
  • March 18, 2008
  • April 15, 2008
  • May 20, 2008
  • June 17, 2008
  • July 15, 2008
  • August 19, 2008
  • September 16, 2008
  • October 21, 2008
  • November 18, 2008
  • NO DECEMBER MEETING

Mesquite Support Group

The Mesquite group meets at Mesquite Community Hospital [Mapquest], Building F, Room 105. This is the Health Education Classroom. The hospital is located at 3500 I-30 at Motley Dr., in Mesquite. Right across from Eastfield College. The hospital will provide refreshments (ice tea, water, cookies).

    Meetings are scheduled for:
  • January 22
  • April 22
  • July 22
  • October 28

For additional questions, call:
(972) 698-2411 x 2700
voice mail for Chaplain Rick Rood
(Group Coordinator).

Or contact Cheryl Lenheiser at the Texas Affiliate Helpline (972) 724-1367 or (800) 910-6111 for more information.

Houston Peer-led Group

Scheduled meetings are listed below and will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at Memorial Herman Northwest Hospital [Mapquest], 1635 North Loop West at 610 and Elia Blvd. We are meeting in the new building, room #A. It is right next to the Starbucks in the new section. Park in the parking garage and then walk across to the professional building.
The meeting will be in Conference Room A, located in the Professional Office Bulding (next to Starbucks). We will have a sign pointing the way to the meeting.

Contact Christine Hunter at (713) 798-3951 for more information.

    Meetings are scheduled for:
  • March 16, 2008
  • May 18, 2008
  • July 20, 2008
  • September 21, 2008
  • November 16, 2008

Loving Care Givers Support Group - Houston

Meets: Third Sunday of every other month, 1 pm
Location: Memorial-Hermann Northwest Hospital at 610 and Ella Blvd., Professional Office building, conference room A. Park in garage and walk across the street. Adjacent to Starbucks.
Participants: for caregivers of people with HD
For more information contact:
Sharon Halton at 713-798-3974
    Meetings are scheduled for:
  • Feb. 17, 2008
  • Apr. 20, 2008
  • June 15, 2008
  • Aug. 17, 2008
  • Oct. 29, 2008
  • Dec. 21, 2008

San Antonio Support Group

This group meets the third Saturday at North Central Baptist Hospital [Mapquest] in the Atrium which can be reached from the front area or the Emergency Room. See the following schedule.

The San Antonio Support Group will meet at the North Central Baptist Hospital, 520 Madison Oak Drive, San Antonio, Texas (Atrium Education Room 1A).

    Meetings are scheduled for:
  • (Generally the 3rd Saturday every couple of months from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm
  • January 19, 2008 (note the consecutive month is intentional)
  • March 15, 2008
  • May 17, 2008
  • July 19, 2008
  • San Antonio HD Walk - September 6, 2008 Woodlawn Park
  • September 20, 2008
  • November 15, 2008

DIRECTIONS

  • The hospital is located off loop 1604 on the North side of San Antonio.
  • Take the Stone Oak Parkway exit and go north (outside the loop).
  • Go to Madison Oak Drive and turn right, you will see the North Central Baptist Hospital.
  • Go past the front of the hospital until you see the Atrium on your right.
  • You can park in this area and go through to the Atrium area to the meeting room or you can go on to the parking garage and enter through the Emergency entrance. Please see the map and follow the red line from either entrance to the room marked with a RED X.
  • If you enter by the Atrium door, you can ask directions at the info desk as you come in to the area.

Click here for map of hospital
For more information on the San Antonio Group, call Gerleine Schoonover at (210) 691-0047 or email Gerleine at curehdnow@aol.com.

El Paso Support Group

This "international" support group meets quarterly from 9:00 to 10:30 AM.
The meetings meet at Lee & Beulah Moor Children's Home[Mapquest], 1100 E. Cliff.

Contact Ceci Burgos at (915) 525-9246 for more information or email her at ceciburgos@aol.com (checked weekly).

    Meetings are scheduled for:
  • March 15, 2008
  • June 21, 2008
  • September 20, 2008
  • December 20, 2008

For more Information on Huntington's Disease, call the National office of the Huntington's Disease Society of America at 1-800-345-4372.
The toll-free Helpline for the Texas Chapter of HDSA Social Worker (800) 910-6111

If any corrections need to be made OR you have an HD support group going on that you'd like to make others aware of please note them in comments to this post. Thanks!