Pain Management
David was invited to speak about his poetry workshops at the 2007 National Conference of the British Pain Society in Glasgow.
Each workshop is based around writing a Kennings, a list (not unlike a shopping list) of words and short phrases under a subject heading. Subjects would be things such as 'visiting the hospital', 'waiting in a queue', or 'family holiday'.
There are three Kennings in Tunnel Vision, his poetry collection, that show how this style is ideal in getting people writing poetry. For details of the collection, go to the publications tab.
The workshops reinforce the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy work done on the PMP course, putting it into a creative context. This helps the patients to put the advice and suggestions into practice within a very straightforward framework.
If you work in a pain management programme and would like more information on the workshop and how it could help your patients, please email David via the Contacts tab. He is able to send you a copy of the slide presentation, and discuss with you how the workshop could be made specific to the content of your particular programme.
If you suffer chronic (that is, on-going) pain, speak to your doctor about the possibility of attending a pain management programme.
Below is a poem that David wrote, reflecting his feelings when he attended the PMP in Basildon himself.
The PMP Express - Part 1
All aboard the PMP Express, for a trip
to where?
To the end of the line.
Sorry, says the doctor
(the specialist)
but we're not going to operate.
Have you thought ... ?
What!
All aboard the PMP Express?
The Pain Management Programme.
You mean
shunted into the siding
of palliative care.
So, I have the wrong kind of pain, do I?
There are neurological problems on the line.
You apologise but you expect delays, as
the express of ordinary life has been derailed.
Normal service will not be resumed soon.
All aboard the PMP Express, for a trip to ...
It's mind over matter, they say.
You must pace yourself, they say.
Relaxation techniques, they say.
Must take your painkillers, they say.
Must keep a diary, they say
and write down
every day ...
But, (shouting),
I just want to be cured!
What's the point?
My life as I've known it is over.
The PMP Express?
Might as well be Thomas the blimming tank engine.
The PMP Express - Part 2
I know
now that I'm
on my way, that
with relief it's time
to say, that with my
life back on the track,
I'm looking forward never back.
I found the key - I've found my soul.
The driver is in full control.
There is no need to doubt or fear,
the engine's running, the wheel's in gear,
the signal's green -
I know my mind,
my head is clear, my focus fine.
Don't hesitate, the train's on time.
The pace, the pace is driving on.
The pain, the pain's
not fully gone,
there is occasion when I need
to slow,
for engineers,
works on the line,
I might be late, but
there's still time,
to carry on, don't
give up now,
the pain
it's not,
some sacred cow.
The timetable says ...
Resume your life.
It's yours to live.
Let no one take it.
Do not give.
The past is past.
The future's there,
reach out it's there,
within your grasp.
So now I'm on the downhill run
towards the sea, the cliffs, the sun.
Yes something marvelous,
it has begun.
My destination - I have won!
My life no more
in the sidings of pain, but
travelling abroad
the announcer can say,
WELCOME!
and as I disembark,
passengers are reminded to
leave all baggage behind.