Episode1 Introduction to Pain

Well, chronic pain is a real problem.

And it’s um…  it’s a real experience for young people who have chronic pain.

Every person’s experience of pain is different  um…  and, and because  other people can’t see it, it’s  very difficult sometimes to communicate  what you’re experiencing and  for other people to really understand that.

When you have chronic pain as a young person it’s,  it just interrupts life.

That’s, it grabs your attention,  it takes attention away from the other things that you have to do at school  and friendships and things that you really enjoy.

Um…  but there’s a lot of good news,  ah there’s a lot happening in science and  and developments that have come along a long way in the last decade.

So that there  is a lot of hope for young people with chronic pain.

We now know that we can  um…  help young people, there are things they can do themselves to help  reduce the pain and improve what they’re able to do with their lives  and to enjoy stuff again.

Ok so my name is Sam Doyle, I’m seventeen years old.

When I was twelve I  got kicked in the ankle by a boy at school and I developed this  weird thing called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

And for a period of ten months I was on crutches  so I went from being able to  you know, have my first rugby training session to  being on crutches.

Seeing everyone else running around in P.

E classes  and not being able to participate and get in there.

And ten months later I was able to,  with intensive physio work and  seeing specialists, I was able to  become pain free.

And now I’m able to do  whatever I like.

I’m free to move and  have a lot of physical activity and it’s just great fun.

And I’m looking forward to finishing school.

Hi, I’m Lauren.

I’m thirteen years old and I’m in year eight at school.

I was born with Cystic Fibrosis and have been diagnosed with chronic pain.

Um…  it stopped me from doing  lots of things I love.

School, seeing my friends.

But I’ve learned coping strategies now.

I still have a bit of pain but I’m able to do back,  going back to school and doing things that I love again.

Hi, my name is Anna.

I’m eighteen years old.

I’ve been living with pain since I was twelve years old.

Um…  got told I’d never walk again  and now I’m walking and I’m studying to be a beauty therapist  and you can do it too.

Um…  I’m Bayly.

I’m eleven.

I  have had Juvenile Arthritis since I was a baby  and I’ve been in wheelchairs sometimes.

But I really love horse riding.

Pain’s been with me my whole life and I’m not gunna let it stop me living my life.