North Shore, B.C.— Imagine living with pain for so long it becomes a part of you. Globally, it is estimated that about one in five, or about 1.5 billion, people live with chronic pain, representing around 20% of the world’s population. Even so, chronic pain continues to be poorly understood and poorly treated. This free event takes place on January 28, with Simon Paradis and Kara Stanley, co-authors of The Pain Project: A Couple’s Story of Confronting Chronic Pain, virtually joining the North Shore Reads stage to answer profound questions about the nature of pain and suffering. The conversation will be guided by award-winning journalist and author Marsha Lederman (Kiss the Red Stairs: The Holocaust, Once Removed; October 7th: Searching for the Humanitarian Middle).
Pain is a major global health issue, but its patterns vary locally. Communities like the North Shore, not unlike communities across Canada and the world, need a clearer understanding of how pain emerges, changes, and affects their residents, so they can find the right treatments and support that restores people’s ability to live full, healthy lives.
While pain can be a difficult topic to discuss with family or friends, it can also prompt meaningful reflection. What do we learn about ourselves when we stop turning away from suffering?
A decade after Simon fell from scaffolding and sustained brain and spinal cord injuries, he and Kara decided to confront pain head on. After years of agonizing chronic pain, they committed to a one-year personal experiment: researching, interviewing experts, and testing both emerging and time-honoured pain-relief strategies.
The Pain Project follows that year, offering an unsparing yet hopeful chronicle of the couple’s attempt to understand and manage Simon’s persistent pain. The book traces their search across therapies, technologies, and daily practices, including journaling, Pilates, experimental treatments, conferences, meditation apps, and more, reminding us all how elusive relief can be, and how distinct and personal every pain story truly is.
Now, Simon and Kara bring that insight, honesty, and hard-earned wisdom to the North Shore Reads audience.
In its fifth year, North Shore Reads continues to be a free online literary gathering that brings thought-provoking authors and readers together. Hosted by the North Vancouver District Public Library, North Vancouver City Library, and West Vancouver Memorial Library, this year’s event promises to be no different.