Could I think of a challenge to do in Brisbane for National Pain Week to support people in chronic pain?
“I’ll cycle the height of Everest,” said my runaway mouth. It popped out faster than a fizz propelled cork and in an instant another Chronic Adventures challenge was thrust forth into my own little world.
A Few Painful Truths
Living with pain is really challenging. If you are reading this and have chronic pain – defined as pain that has persisted for more than three months – you are not alone.
According to the National Pain Strategy 2010, one in three Australians report Chronic Pain, yet 80 percent cannot access helpful treatments and the health professionals trained in best-practice pain management.
Arthritis is the major cause of disability and chronic pain in Australia, costing the Australian community $23.9 billion dollars each year. (arthritis.org.au)
But whether the cause of the pain has been diagnosed or not, it can be treated as Dr Coralie Wales, President of Chronic Pain Australia explains:
With few exceptions, there is no need for anyone to live with unbearable pain. Successful treatments and approaches to managing pain are available, but unfortunately, the community and many health professionals remain unaware of what can help.
Chronic Pain Australia is dedicated to supporting people in pain by providing a network which includes fact sheets, forums, access to experts, a list of clinical services and hopeful stories of people managing pain.
If only people knew, life for one in three Australians would be different.
The Challenge
As someone who has lived with an arthritic spine for over thirty years, I’m taking on this challenge over National Pain Week to help spread the word about Chronic Pain Australia and show with the right support people can live well with chronic pain.
Between Sunday 22nd and Saturday 28th July, I will repeatedly cycle Mt. Cootha, Brisbane’s highest peak, until my GPS totals 8848 meters – the height of Everest – that’s around four hours per day in the saddle for me. I’ll celebrate at the Mount Cootha lookout on Saturday 28th July if I make it!
Living with chronic pain isn’t easy. But telling people where they can get help is.
Three Easy Ways to help
- Please support the challenge by Donating to Chronic Pain Australia
- Visit the National Pain Week website and sign the petition to help Dr Wales make Chronic Pain a National Health priority
- Spread the world by giving Chronic Adventures the thumbs up on Facebook to follow the ups and downs of the challenge and find out if I make it.
Now I just have to tell the Chronic Crew what I’ve got them into. Yikes.
Wish me luck.
Tracey
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT IF I DID IT
Certainly sounds like a mighty challenge – you nEverest do you!
Count me in for a few laps ….
Great News Juggle Mum.
Don’t forget to wave as you pass me pulling your three Juggle kids in a trailer : )
Whoop whoop. Nice challenge, Tracey. I’ll be there with bells on.
If I could do it on my bike I would – walking it will have to be!
Well Ding Dong merrily up that mountain but please don’t overdo it with that injury. You are a true trooper Queenie. Can anyone offer my pal a free massage session to say thank you?
Woof Woof Woof (translates to Go Trace Go!) Can Cardio Man give me a ride in his new trailer?
That would be great training for the Mawson trail Winston, but I think it’s time you woofed up and got your mums to buy you a bike.
Loving your new profile pic for the Chronic Pain Challenge – looking super strong!
Some insanely fit ex-olympian gave me the idea. I had to leave the podium out of the shot seen as though it was a park bench. If you look closely, you’ll see these words coming out through gritted teeth “quick, I’m going to drop it”.
Wow, that’s what I call a challenge, Tracey. You go girl! Best of luck!
Thanks Jo! I have a spare bike with your name on it If by chance you get a travel writing assignment over this way.