D.F.P.S.

On Saturday morning, the inaugural AGM for the DFPS was held. As a short summary, the following individuals were nominated for positions:

President: Greg Betros
Vice President: Matt Betros
Treasurer: Sandra McKenzie
Secretary: George Seabrook
Public Officer: Penny Marshall
Committee Position 1: Barbara Buttfield
Committee Position 2: Nicola Heelis
Auditor: Mr Trevor Basso of Basso Newman & Co

Currently, DFPS is awaiting further responses from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to obtain Tax Deductability. Essentially this means that any donations made to the organisation will be tax deductable to individuals or businesses.

Also on the agenda, was the topic of fund raising and memberships. This will be a continuing discussion in the coming weeks as we await approval from the ATO.

It was agreed by the group that we should be also approaching other organisations in order to register them as associate members of the DFPS, thus increasing awareness of our plight. It is an ongoing action from the AGM that we identify those potential affiliates and implement a plan to register and publish our concerns.

The topic of media and press releases was raised. Greg will be meeting with representatives from the Sunday Mail this week to discuss the potential inclusion of a story in the paper. It is important that the letters to the editor are coordinated through George to ensure that each story carries the same passion and emotion in a manner that will be accepted by the media. To this effect, a template for such items is being prepared.

Acknowledged at the AGM was the significant role played by carers and in particular younger children. It was agreed that without carers our plight would be much worse. With this in mind, it is anticipated that several meetings will be held to gather not only the mature aged carers but also the children who care for those suffering from chronic pain.

The first AGM was a great success. Many thanks to those who attended.

We have recently incorporated Dignity for Chronic Pain Sufferers and are in the process of meeting all the legal requirements to ensure that the organisation is tax exempt and donations are tax deductible.

You are invited to our first Annual General Meeting to be held at 10.00AM Saturday 10th October 2009 at the Disability Information & Resource Centre, 195 Gilles Street, Adelaide.

All positions, Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and two Committee Members, are open for election. An auditor must also be appointed for the next year.

As we are limited for space in the meeting room please RSPV by email. You can contact us here.

Whilst not promising anything yet, the evidence is starting to pile up showing the impact the DFPS has had on the issue of Chronic Pain Sufferers being treated as drug addicts.

After numerous letters to various members of parliament, councils and more, our Secretary has received a letter in the post from Lindsay Simmons MP, Member for Morialta dated 13th July 2009:

Dear Mr Seabrook,
I would like to thank you for your email regarding Dignity for Chronic Pain Sufferers
and please be assured that I empathise with the current problems being experienced
by your members and other sufferers,

The Hon John Hill MP, Minister for Health is currently considering a further
amendment put forward by the Opposition and I will keep you informed of any future
developments in regard to this issue.

Yours sincerely,
Lindsay Simmons

Recently, The Hon. R. B. SUCH put forward a move to parliament at the request of some concerned residents in his local council/district. The extract has been provided here for your information.

Download: Click Here (4mb)

Thanks to Kym Morgan from the Messenger for writing our story up on their website. The link is here: http://guardian-messenger.whereilive.com.au/news/story/patients-turn-to-heroin/

The article breifly describes the recent investment to challenge DASSA regarding it’s narcotics policy for people suffering from chronic pain.

Just a minor update for you all. The people at The Sunday Mail printed an article about the situation we are currently faced with. The link is below:

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25289430-2682,00.html

Also, many thanks go out to Steve for these links:

http://www.painworld.zip.com.au

http://www.chronicpainaustralia.org

Hi folks,

This week another letter was sent to the Minister for Mental Health and Substance abuse, the Hon. Jane Lomax Smith. You can read it here.

The letter details the plight of Nicola Heelis a fellow pain sufferer who like those we are fighting for, suffers from immense indescribable pain, and is treated like a drug addict. I urge you to read the letter and respond.

It appears as though we are starting to get somewhere at least. People are starting to recognise the problem a little more, however it is still a mightly long road with a huge fight to win dignity for chronic pain sufferers.

Please do your bit, and get your family and friends to sign our petition and sign up for regular updates. We need as much public support as we can get.

On the 25th July, 2008 and the 7th August, 2008, two letters were drafted and sent to The Minister for Mental Health & Substance Abuse, The Hon Dr Jane Lomax-Smith, on behalf of the DFPS. Please take a moment to read them.

Link 1: http://www.dfps.org.au/?page_id=55
Link 2: http://www.dfps.org.au/?page_id=54

Hi everyone!

The website for the Dignity of Chronic Pain Sufferers (DFPS) is currently under construction. However, we do appreciate the support of friends, family and others so please feel free to register for our updates.

There is plenty more to come on the website so watch this space!