City & State: Concord, NH

Age: 65 years old

Pain warrior role: U.S. Pain advocate since 2017

What type of health conditions you live with: Rheumatoid arthritis, spondylolisthesis, herniated disk, and IBS-C

What is your favorite tip for others with chronic pain: “Hang on to the hope and the belief that you can do this through the support and experience of others, who like you, live with chronic health conditions.  You are not alone. Breathe!”

What’s a fun fact about you: “I love animals, nature, and learning new things.  I paint kindness/affirmation rocks. Also, my husband and I lived in Europe and backpacked throughout Europe and the east in the 1980s. We used to camp, hike, cycle, ski, and kayak.”

Bobbi Blades has been an active member of the chronic pain community for years, first as a caregiver for her mother who struggled with rheumatoid arthritis, and then as a chronic pain patient herself. Bobbi trained with U.S. Pain’s Gwenn Herman to become a support group leader and is now leading one of Pain Connection’s call-in support groups monthly. Currently, she is also helping Gwenn lead the monthly interactive videoconference series, “Building Your Toolbox,” and is an active participant in U.S. Pain’s Virtual Advocacy Training Series. Bobbi’s leadership and support are beyond priceless for the chronic pain community.