On Monday, August 16 at 5 pm ET, the first meeting of Pain Connection’s new specialized chronic pain support group for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) will be held via Zoom.

Led by Linda Shaw, a trained leader for the U.S. Pain Foundation, the group joins other recent specialized support groups including our veteran’s group, Spanish speaking, LGBTQ+, and more. The launch of these groups marks an exciting time for us as we expand our reach to help more people with chronic pain across the country.

Before kicking off her first meeting, Linda took a moment to answer a few questions about what attendees can expect.

Q: What would you like group members to know about you prior to attending the group?

Linda: I love people and am passionate about helping others find the resources they need. I am excited to work with the BIPOC community to assist in balancing the bar that reduces disparities in health care.

Q: Why would you encourage people to attend this support group?

Linda: I believe this support group will provide a bridge to access information and promote awareness of self-care through the resources available to them. I strongly encourage anyone who lives with chronic pain, is a caregiver for someone with chronic pain, or knows of someone with a chronic condition to attend this support group. Our collective stories along with the toolbox of information available will prove to be invaluable in coping with chronic pain.

Q: What do you hope group members come away with? 

Linda: As a black woman, I hope to assist with building trust, by providing a safe place to not only receive critical information but also to be a constant source of information. The members will find themselves in a group that actually provides hope, a new mindset, and a positive outlook on life!