For Grace's September Story of the Month features a woman who experienced bias and discrimination as a patient and medical school student. Shannon Stocker developed CRPS during her residency and quickly had her complaints of pain dismissed by the profession she'd spent much of her life in pursuit of. She recalled that in medical school doctors made fun of women with unexplainable pain, labeling them "frequent flyers" for their many appointments. Teaming up  with her devoted husband, Shannon found answers and practitioners who brought relief.

So much good came out of For Grace' s Legislative Pain Briefing at the California Capitol, we want to share a number of ways that you can experience this ground-breaking day. The National Pain Report's editor-in-chief Ed Coghlan wrote an excellent recap of the event that includes our efforts to transform pain policy. Also, a webcast archive of the briefing is available, one where you can watch our team of world-class presenters enlighten decision makers about the need to make chronic pain a top public health priority in the Golden State. Last, you can view our pictures on Flickr that capture the passion and energy that kick-started a better day for the 6-12 million Californians challenged by chronic pain. Check back as we move this bold initiative forward!

For Grace's Sacramento Pain Briefing was a smashing success! Partnering with Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (pictured here), we convened  legislative and policy leaders on August 14th to enlighten them about the chronic pain experience and barriers to care. Our world-class  presenters capped the day with a Recommendation to implement a comprehensive Pain Center in the Golden State. Follow us as we move this much-needed effort ahead - and catch the day's webcast archive HERE.

For Grace's White Paper committee finalized their report on our November 2018 Pain Summit which convened health care luminaries from across California. This comprehensive report - which provides an overview of chronic pain as an over-looked public health crisis, comprehensive integrative medicine as the care model to move pain management forward and a recommendation for a California Pain Center to  serve the 6-12 million people impacted by persistent pain - will be shared with legislators, staffers and health agency leaders at For Grace's legislative briefing on Wednesday, August 14 at the Sacramento State Capitol. Thank you all who made this report possible - and here's to better days ahead!