Hello Luvs,
First off, I want everyone to know that no one asked me to write this piece. I’m sorry that I’ve had a bit of “writers block” recently. Nobody at US Pain Foundation even knows I’m writing this piece. I promise you it’s not a “promotional” blog post! But when things stick in my brain and really bother me, I need to get them out on paper, in a manner of speaking.
Recently, I’ve been getting asked the same question over and over again. People know what the U.S. Pain Foundation is, but they ask me “what does the U.S. Pain Foundation do for the pain community? I’m writing this as a patient advocate, a pain ambassador and as a chronic pain patient. I’ve only been on the Board since January of 2018. But I’ve been a member of this lovely community since 2015.
The U.S. Pain Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization who is dedicated to serving those of us who live with chronic painful conditions and illnesses. They also serve our care givers. They not only help with finding resources for the pain community but they help to provide inspiration for us as well.
They are leaders among the pain community and they are pain patients. They empower, educate, connect and advocate for people living with chronic pain. To me they offered Hope. They have many programs going on simultaneously as the U.S. Pain community works daily to help people in all age groups. They serve as advocates at the state and federal levels as they fervently work to keep track of and help us with the various Bills and laws at each level. They have people who go and testify and help with many of the situations that affect the pain community now. They even have a pediatric pain program.
Did you know that you can visit the U.S. Pain Foundation Website and find your pain condition to learn more about your illnesses? They have a program called “Learn About Your Pain”. You just go here: https://uspainfoundation.org/programs/eductional/ . Also on that same page you’ll find “Pain Medicine 411”, where patients can learn to make informed decisions about their medications. They can also visit the National Coalition of Pain Providers & professionals. There they can network, educate and give referrals for pain care providers and more. Theres also information about the “Knowvember” project; which is an educational campaign done each November. It has free webinars with experts, Twitter chats and daily facts. Lastly, at that same page, you will find “Take Control of Your Pain”. These are events or education days held at various locations throughout the country. These help patients and caregivers by empowering them to take control of their pain and medical journeys.
If you go to the top right of the page, you can click on “find a specialist”. All you do is put in your location and what type of physician you are looking for and some will show up for you to choose from. You can also find clinical trials or connect with people from our Pain Connection group. They can help you locate an in-person support group in your area. These support groups are lead by trained support group leaders. You can also share your story here: https://uspainfoundation.org/get-involved/share-my-story/ …and become a pain Ambassador here: https://uspainfoundation.org/get-involved/pain-ambassador-network/ … You can also get information about medical cannabis here:
https://uspainfoundation.org/?s=medical+cannabis
There is also the “Invisible Project”, which tries to make the invisible illnesses more visible. They put names and faces with some painful invisible illnesses. You can read more about this project here: https://uspainfoundation.org/?s=invisible+project
No one from the U.S. Pain Foundation will bother you or send you information that you do not want or without your consent. If you become a “Pain Ambassador”, you will receive a little kit with some “goodies” in it and information. There is more but then this article would get too long. If you have any other questions about what they do, please contact them directly on the website at: www.USpainfoundation.org or by telephone at: 1-800-910-2462. I hope that this answers any of your questions about what the U.S. Pain foundations does for the chronic pain community.
