Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain LIFE Spring 2015, Issue 11 | Page 7

COVER STORY: Pain Care Providers Day March 20 Text and information below can be copied and used for a proclamation request. Submitting references with the proclamation request is recommended but usually not required. Questions? Please contact the NFMCPA at [email protected] DRAFT PAIN CARE PROVIDERS DAY PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, PAIN is a universal feeling, which for millions becomes chronic, impacting every facet of life; and affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined; and is cited as the most common reason Americans access the health care system; and 1,2 WHEREAS, there exist regulatory, legal, institutional, financial, educational, and geographical barriers that impede access to pain care; barriers that contribute to increased suffering along with feelings of despair, futility and shame on the part of people with pain; and 3,4,5 WHEREAS, in the face of this national pain epidemic there is less than one board-certified pain specialist for every twenty thousand pain sufferers; and these pain specialists are subject to tremendous stressors, leading to a high rate of professional burnout, interpersonal difficulties, suicidal tendencies, and even life-threatening physical harm; and 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 WHEREAS, because of the shortage of pain specialists, the vast majority of our nation’s pain care must remain the duty of a vast array of dedicated but increasingly anxious medical professionals, kindhearted laypersons, and overburdened loved ones who bravely and compassionately persevere in treating pain as best they can;7 NOW, THEREFORE, I, [name, title], do hereby proclaim March 20, 2015, the first day of spring, as PAIN CARE PROVIDERS DAY throughout [city or state name] and encourage our citizens to recognize all who professionally, clinically or emotionally offer more than their expertise--that is, they offer their hearts--and therefore are deserving of our gratitude, encoura