Today we advocated for a 9 year old boy named Tony. Tony suffers from BLS ,chronic pancreatitis, and severe low back pain from cancer related problems. “Today was a win for American Pain and Disability Foundation’s team as they pulled together to advocate for kids who suffer in chronic intractable pain,” said Bob Sheerin.Bob Sheerin, APDF’s VPO stated that “Today I learned a valuable lesson, this lesson came to me in 3 different parts. One, doctors are obviously under contract with certain types of owners and insurance companies who breed policies. Two, by the end of this advocating session it came to my attention that it almost always takes an entity like APDF to allow these doctors to go to their administration in order to not get a bad name for themselves or their practices. Lastly, this doctor was more than willing to work with us to get this child the medicine he needs to manage the great pain he was in!”
The doctor from Methodist Hospital referred him to Vanderbilt to ask if their policies are going to change soon. It felt like he was hopeful they would. The doctor wrote the child’s prescription and asked me out to lunch where we discussed many issues like pain care in America. “I have 3 more children to see this doctor over the next 3 weeks. After today when we are through with Methodist we will move onward and upward with the children’s program and continue to take action like this wherever and wherever action is needed.”
Bob Sheerin and the APDF team!
Filed under: General Problems
I also congratulate APDF and Bob for continuing great success for proper pain care for these sick and suffering children. As adults we know how much pain theyre experiencing because usually its us with the same these diseases. We know how it hurts, so for every child that can is given some relief is a huge Win! Btw,..Its looking more scary looking out there friends, I’m seeing on pain medicine doctor websites that theyre using everything along with kitchen sink Not to make addicts out patients by allowing or giving opiate medications. This is not good at all folks. The myths surrounding addiction have got to be changed. If not the future isnt bright for anyone.
This is a lot of work for APDF,but it saved 1 kid from medical torture.The white house definition of prevention is,denial of effective physical pain relief for anyone in physical pain from medical conditions.,.
I thank the Lord for compassionate and determined advocates like APDF and Bob Sheerin. Without them (as well as others just as determined and compassionate), people would be left to suffer without hope. My own compassion, understanding and knowledge does not afford me the ability to comprehend why human beings would or could find it acceptable to deny comfort to fellow human beings, and call it a humanitarian effort. The ‘logic’ escapes me, because none of what is being done is based on actual logic. It’s distressing, to say the least, to be left in a position where we’re being told that they’re doing this to HELP us and to SAVE us, all while we languish from the lack of proper and adequate treatment of chronic pain. Something that we all know very well is a different experience for each individual. It is the polar opposite of what we are being told that it’s meant to do, and yet they continue to torture us without regard, respect, or consideration. Still, I am hopeful that with the tireless efforts of our individual and collective advocates, who do honestly care and have personal knowledge of what we experience, will have a great impact on the current situation. It couldn’t come soon enough, but still, I have hope.