Experts by Experience
Their insights shape our programs, research, and leadership—bringing real-life experience to the forefront of pain advocacy for Canadians.
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 Leadership Award
Welcoming your Submission Letter
Please compile and submit one PDF document containing the outlined criteria.
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.
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.
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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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.