Just because you are stuck at home during the pandemic doesn’t mean you can’t meet new people and get your socialization on. United Spinal Association is committed to helping people with SCI/D connect for peer support, meeting up virtually or just finding ways to take breaks from the daily, socially-isolated grind.

United Spinal’s Resource Center maintains an up-to-date list of daily virtual support groups and social gatherings offered by United Spinal chapters. After seeing the demand for online get-togethers, Lindsey Elliott, United Spinal’s director for member resources, started hosting a weekly social hour on Zoom every Thursday at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. The weekly gatherings, which began in September, offer attendees a chance to meet new people, catch up with old friends and chat about whatever is on their minds with fellow community members. There is no agenda.

Elliott added an 8 p.m. ET social hour to accommodate west coast participants, and says the groups usually draw five to 10 participants. “We certainly have our regulars that come every week now,” says Elliott. “It’s helped our members connect with each other regularly. I hope we can continue to spread the word about it and that more folks will feel comfortable joining us.”

If your chapter or support group hosts an online gathering, or you would like to be included on United Spinal’s page, contact Elliott at lelliott@unitedspinal.org. To see the listings or register to attend one of United Spinal’s Social Hours, visit unitedspinal.org/events-usa.