I just got off of the phone with Dr. Sandra Carson. Dr Sandra Carson is the vice president of the education department of ACOG, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. This is our third conversation. She told me that she has been reading my blog.
Dr. Carson requested that I send her:
1. Peer-reviewed references about Pudendal Neuralgia and other causes of pelvic pain.
2. Names of experts that have researched and published on these topics. She wants the CV's of these doctors so that she can recommend them as consultants to their committee.
Dr Carson will present all of this research and information to the Education Committee. The Education Committee will write the educational objectives.
I asked her what the difference is between Guidelines and Educational Objectives. As of now there are NO guidelines or educational objects regarding Pudendal Neuralgia and Pervasive Genital Arousal Disorder. In other words our conditions DO NOT EVEN EXIST as names of conditions let alone diagnosis or treatment.
How does this happen? I am not blaming Dr. Carson or Dr. Lawrence or Dr. Zahn. This isn't their fault. In fact I believe that they are the ones that will bring this very necessary change into gynecology.
What I am saying is this: God bless you for being here to help us. God bless you for hearing our voices. Goddess bless you for working to put an end to this suffering. Goddess bless you for hearing our stories with compassion in your heart and determination in your actions.
I have to believe that we will bring this change.
Otherwise, what good would all of my suffering have been for? Until my last breath on this earth I will believe that my suffering was meant to serve a higher purpose.
Otherwise I might as well be swallowed up by my own rage at the injustice.
So, as usual, I have a lot of work to do.
A lot of networking.
And that is okay because I enjoy networking. I enjoy bringing people together to serve a higher goal. In fact it brings me great joy to be a part of such endeavors.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the fundraising auction that I participated in. And I feel so blessed to have met Angela Kennedy. Her art inspires me deeply and buying her artwork fills me with joy!
So my spirit is doing well.
I raised awareness for three days at the disability exposition. There I met Casey Cashman, executive director of the U.S Pain Foundation. And Natasha that developed CRPS. And Christina and her mom Leanne. And I preyed on young women and gave my shpeel over and over and yes, once again!
This is how my shpeel began: "Hello, (big friendly smile) can I introduce you to Project Angel?" Most people responded with a smile and a "Sure". I continued "Project Angel is a project that grew out my artwork. I painted 30 angels in order to raise awareness about the prevalence of chronic pelvic pain. Each angel represents one million of the 30 million American women and the significant but undocumented number of men that suffer from chronic pelvic/genital/sexual pain..." Here are photos of a few of the very special people that I met.
With Casey Cashman, executive director of the U.S Pain Foundation and pain warrior. I felt so blessed to meet a fellow pain warrior and activist!
With Natasha and her Mom. They came all the way from New Jersey to attend the "abilities expo". Natasha is a pain warrior. She battles Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and she has the most beautiful smile!
Visiting Christina Powell at her booth. Christina is an incredible artist. Her work brings joy and peace to hospitals and pain clinics all over Boston.
So much love and generosity of Spirit.
With the sweetest art therapy students ever. Their compassion flooded me with tears. I had to get a photo with them!
The petition is going well. Good things are happening. I am excited to be where I am now. I didn't know that I would be raising awareness for three days straight. I didn't know that I would be participating in a very successful auction with many artists, raising money for a woman that was recently assaulted. And that I would have so much fun and learn so much by taking part in it! I didn't know that I would meet Angela Kennedy and feel so inspired by her artwork and her generosity.
What I thought I knew is that I was exhausted, worn out, angry that I have to escape from Newton because the leaf blowers are on their way. Depressed that winter is on its way and that I had three days of feeling like fibromyalgia mush.
So thank you! Thank you life! Thank you inspiration! Thank you art and love and friendship. Thank you generous generous spirit. I have to thank Angela Kennedy cuz I feel so grateful to her.
I feel happy!!!!
Love,
Atara
