Experts by Experience, Advocating for Canadians who Live with Pain
Their insights shape our programs, research, and leadership—bringing real-life experience to the forefront of pain advocacy.
People with Lived Experience sharing their stories, advice and strategies for managing pain help raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by those living with chronic pain. Additionally, they also participate in our ongoing research projects and bring their unique perspective to our Board, Committees, and Leadership Teams.
Person with Lived Experience of Pain Travel Scholarship
The Canadian Pain Society (CPS) in collaboration with Pain Canada is pleased to announce the availability of travel scholarships to support individuals with lived experience of pain in attending our upcoming Annual Scientific Meeting in Toronto.
These scholarships aim to enhance the diversity of voices at the conference, ensuring that the perspectives of those directly affected by pain are represented and heard.
Applications open until December 1st, 2024. Successful applicants will be notified by January 2025.
ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
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Travel expenses, accommodation, and/or conference registration fees are eligible for reimbursement. You will be asked to indicate what types of expenses you would like covered on the application form.
¹ Based on the PCORI Rubric of Patient Partners including people with lived experience of pain, family members, and caregivers.
² Travel and accommodation reservations are made by the award winner, in collaboration with The Canadian Pain Society office. Reimbursements will be processed as noted above once the event concludes.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
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Applicants must have lived experience with chronic pain¹ and demonstrate an interest in contributing to the discussions and activities at the CPS meeting.
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Eligible applicants must register and attend the annual scientific conference as a PWLE as their primary role.
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In general, individuals who are part of a scientific symposium are not eligible to apply, as travel funds are expected to be covered by the affiliated research grant. In some cases, symposium participants may be considered
if research funds are not available. This should be indicated clearly in the application statement.
HOW TO APPLY
All applications, submitted in English or in French, must include the following:
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Completion of our online form
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A brief personal statement (250 words max ) detailing your experience with chronic pain and explaining why attending the CPS meeting would be meaningful to you.
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Combined and uploaded into one PDF file.
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Files cannot exceed 25 MB.
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This program receives funding from Health Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada.
Welcoming your Submission Letter
Please compile and submit one PDF document containing the outlined criteria.
Person with Lived Experience of Pain Leadership Award
The Person with Lived Experience of Pain Leadership Award recognizes outstanding contributions by People with Lived Experience¹ to pain research, education, and/or community building, in Canada.
This Award Includes
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Keynote Presentation at the 2025 CPS Annual Scientific Meeting
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Economy class travel to the CPS Annual Scientific Meeting (up to $1000.00)²
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Taxi fare and incidentals (up to $100.00)²
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Three (3) nights' accommodation at a designated ASM hotel, at the base rate²
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Complimentary registration to the 2025 Scientific Meeting
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Commemorative Plaque
¹ Based on the PCORI Rubric of Patient Partners including people with lived experience of pain, family members, and caregivers.
² Travel and accommodation reservations are made by the award winner, in collaboration with The Canadian Pain Society office. Reimbursements will be processed as noted above once the event concludes.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
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The Person with Lived Experience of Pain¹ should have a demonstrated track record of outstanding contributions to pain research, education, and/or community building activities.
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The spirit of the Person with Lived Experience of Pain Leadership Award is to recognize avocational pain leadership activities (ie. not part of their primary vocation). Activities described in the nomination letter should clearly indicate how the applicant engages in pain leadership activities distinct from their primary vocation.
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Previous applicants are encouraged to re-apply, providing they meet the above eligibility criteria.
HOW TO APPLY
All applications, submitted in English or in French, must include the following:
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Completion of our online form.
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A one-page letter of nomination signed by at least one CPS Regular Member and at least one representative of a community organization (ex. A Canadian organizations providing services and/or education to people in the community) describing the nominee, their contributions and impact on pain research, education, and/or community building, and any relevant past achievements if applicable.
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All documents must be combined and uploaded into one PDF file.
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Files cannot exceed 25 MB.
Virginia McIntyre
Vice Chair, Nova Scotia
A part of the People with Lived Experience Committee.
I am involved with CPS because I am committed to advocating for improving the quality of lives of the many Canadians living with pain and provides an opportunity to learn and work with some of the most incredible researchers, scientists and PWLE.
I am involved with CPS because I am committed to advocating for improving the quality of lives of the many Canadians living with pain and provides an opportunity to learn and work with some of the most incredible researchers, scientists and PWLE.
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Jennifer Daly-Cyr
Vice Chair, Ontario
A part of the People with Lived Experience Committee, Scientific Planning Committee, National Pain Round Committee
Seeing an opportunity to make an impact on meaningfully integrating PWLE into the CPS is why I chose to get involved. It takes time and effort to move the dial and we are getting there, one step at a time.
Seeing an opportunity to make an impact on meaningfully integrating PWLE into the CPS is why I chose to get involved. It takes time and effort to move the dial and we are getting there, one step at a time.
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Therese Lane
Ontario
A part of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee.
My 'why' is coming soon
My 'why' is coming soon
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Sandra Woods
Québec
A part of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee.
Struck with CRPS in 2016, while working in bioethics, my research background led to learning about pain and volunteering as Patient Partner (co-author) in chronic pain projects and educational initiatives. Involved in Canadian and international activities, I’m a PWLE with CPS since the 2018 ASM/conference, military veteran, and artist. #ArtDespitePain
Struck with CRPS in 2016, while working in bioethics, my research background led to learning about pain and volunteering as Patient Partner (co-author) in chronic pain projects and educational initiatives. Involved in Canadian and international activities, I’m a PWLE with CPS since the 2018 ASM/conference, military veteran, and artist. #ArtDespitePain
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Lesley Singer
Québec
A part of the Scientific Planning Committee.
I volunteer my time to the CPS in order to give the voice of the lived experience to the scientific review committee as well as to overall feel part of the solution in improving the management of chronic pain
I volunteer my time to the CPS in order to give the voice of the lived experience to the scientific review committee as well as to overall feel part of the solution in improving the management of chronic pain
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Emeralda Burke
Ontario
A part of the Awards and Grants Committee.
My 'why' is coming soon
My 'why' is coming soon
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Carley Ouellette
Ontario
A part of the Scientific Planning Committee.
My 'why' is coming soon
My 'why' is coming soon
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Vina Mohabir
Ontario
A part of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee.
My 'why' is coming soon
My 'why' is coming soon
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Patricia Simmons
New Brunswick
A part of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee.
Living with multiple chronic pain conditions and having witnessed many relatives and friends experience chronic pain, I attended a webinar in which Therese Lane and Emeralda Burke spoke about their lived experience of chronic pain, thereby stumbling upon the CPS and the community of people working in the field of pain; I want to be part of the CPS to learn about pain research and I volunteer my time on the EDI Committee to address systemic inequities.
Living with multiple chronic pain conditions and having witnessed many relatives and friends experience chronic pain, I want to be part of the CPS to learn about pain research and I volunteer my time on the EDI Committee to address systemic inequities.
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Lauryn Seguin
Ontario
A part of the People with Lived Experience Committee.
I volunteer because I’m passionate about contributing to our community and making a positive impact through collaborative efforts, and using my experience living with Chronic Pain.
I volunteer because I’m passionate about contributing to our community and making a positive impact through collaborative efforts, and using my experience living with Chronic Pain.
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Janice Sumpton
Ontario
A part of the Scientific Program Committee.
I love using my lived experience to contribute to the Scientific Program Committee and staying current with pain research in Canada.
I love using my lived experience to contribute to the Scientific Program Committee and staying current with pain research in Canada.
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Natasha Trehan
Ontario
A part of the Communication's Committee.
As a member of the Canadian Pain Society (CPS), I am dedicated to advocating for better pain management and supporting those living with chronic pain. Volunteering with CPS allows me to give back to a community that is as passionate about chronic pain management as I am.
As a member of the Canadian Pain Society (CPS), I am dedicated to advocating for better pain management and supporting those living with chronic pain. Volunteering with CPS allows me to give back to a community that is as passionate about chronic pain management as I am.
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Our People with Lived Experience
All Canadian Pain Society committees include people with lived pain experience. Each member brings their expertise from experiences and strives to uphold and maintain the integrity of the organization as dedicated volunteers.
Together with Pain Canada
Home-base for the eight million people in Canada living with chronic pain and creates new opportunities for action by connecting people, ideas, organizations, and resources to enable a national movement.
Health Canada's Report: An Action Plan for Pain in Canada
Pain Canada was created in response to Health Canada’s 2021 report An Action Plan for Pain in Canada. Among many other recommendations, the Action Plan called for national mechanisms to improve coordination, create community capacity, develop and disseminate pain-related guidance and best practices and to enable collaboration among governments, regulators and health professional organizations, people with lived experience, non-governmental organizations, researchers, employers, and other stakeholders with a role to play in the Action Plan’s implementation.
Within the Canadian Pain Society
The purpose of the Canadian Pain Society (CPS) Person with Lived Experience (PWLE) inclusion is to uphold the vision and mission of the CPS by providing a formal mechanism for integrating the lived experience perspective of pain and expertise at all levels within CPS. While they may hold roles outside of CPS committees, the primary role of PWLE within CPS Committees is to bring their expertise and perspective of a person with lived pain experience.