I’ve been a Patient Partner with the Canadian Pain Society (CPS) for more than five years now, although they use the term PWLE or Person With Lived Experience. The CPS is an organization of healthcare professionals, researchers, and trainees who study or treat pain. Founded 50 years ago, in 1974, it’s the Canadian chapter of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP).
So I had a lovely surprise this weekend, when I opened the Summer 2024 edition of the CPS eNews, the quarterly update from the Canadian Pain Society (CPS). I do quite a bit of volunteer work with the CPS as a Patient Partner, even serving on a few of their Committees and Sub-Committees including the Art Awards Committee, so I read the eNews from start to finish.
This edition of the eNews features the inaugural PWLE Corner, focusing on individuals living with chronic pain in Canada who make a difference through their advocacy and/or awareness activities. I am truly honoured to be the first Patient Partner/PWLE featured in the eNews!
And a few years ago, one of my watercolour paintings won the inaugural Art Awards of the Canadian Pain Society, so I’m touched that this feature mentions my Art Despite Pain (#ArtDespitePain) initiative, and how I encourage “people living with pain to use art and creativity – practice or appreciation – as a tool for pain management.” Thank you so much, CPS!
