Sunday, October 02, 2011
Now that Pain Awareness Month is over one might say that the difficult work begins. Now we need to keep up the interest and activity around enhancing the public’s awareness about the impact pain can have on a person’s life— an impact that touches on the physical, social, financial, and emotional aspects of life. And all of us, whether we are members of the American Pain Foundation (APF) or not can help in this effort. Even if you don’t experience pain on a regular basis I am pretty sure you know someone who does, and you most likely want to help that person live a more productive and happier life, so you will want to help spread the awareness.
For many people though, before spreading the awareness of the impact of pain we must be better acquainted with it ourselves. I’m sure you or someone you know has had to cancel plans due to pain or the fatigue the pain or its underlying condition can cause; in my case that underlying condition is Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and I also have a spine condition that has required four surgeries so far. But there are many other possible underlying causes for pain, including Lymes Disease, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Injuries, Surgeries and Surgical Complications, and many more.
There are three steps you can take that will keep you informed and provide ideas about how to receive the most effective treatments, how to advocate for legislation that will guarantee access to the most effective treatment, and how to help others see and understand a little of what those in pain are experiencing;
- Go to www.painfoundation.org and become a member. Take the Advocacy Survey so you will receive occasional emails informing you about what needs to be done and helping you reach out to legislators, media, and the general public to inform them about these issues.
- While on the APF website, click on the Pain Safe link. This will bring you to that site, which provides timely information and tools on the safe use of various pain therapies and many more resources, including downloadable handouts such as Chronic Opioid Therapy: Preparing for Your Appointments, Dos and Don’ts to Help Avoid Problems and Six Opioid Safety Steps.
- Respond to this posting and tell me if you are interested in staying informed about what the APF is doing and what I am trying to do regarding my work with the APF.
Best wishes for a very healthy Fall and hope that you and your loved ones live with a minimum of pain in your lives. Don’t forget those who live with pain every day, and the three steps above will help you do that and let them know you care.
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That was a beautifully stated essay, Denise! It is in the little things we can do all year long that can finally cause chronic pain to be as common a subject as any other health issue. Thank you for speaking out and remind us that together, our voices can be amplified and our message more likely heard. The American Pain Foundation, www.painfoundation.com, is a good place to start; That's where I started as well.
Hi Radene, I didn't know you were on this site as well. I have been posting here for quite a while, and on the MS page as well. It's a nice place to reach out to people and give us all a chance to speak out about our feelings and the impact pain has on our lives.
Will I see you at the East Coast Summit in Troy? I am really looking forward to it and hope the public event is as good as the one was on the West Coast.
Thanks for your comments. I will watch for your Posts.
Regards,
Denise