Who We Are
Founded in 2011 by moms of children with chronic pain and complex medical conditions, The Coalition Against Pediatric Pain (TCAPP) is a 501(c)3 organization committed to supporting children and families coping with chronic pain. We advocate for families by raising awareness of the unique needs and challenges they face. Our organization, which is 100% volunteer run, provides validation, education, and support for children and families impacted by chronic pain or illness.
Since our inception, TCAPP has made a lot of progress, but there’s a lot more work to be done. We hope you will join us by committing to help these children and familes have the resources they need for a better quality of life.
To join our team, contact us at [email protected]
Our Mission
Support and Unite Families Affected by Pediatric Pain
- Create a Facebook and web forum that allows people to post concerns, information, and personal stories and interact with others wanting to share.
- Have a database of those interested in reaching out and supporting others.
- Through information gathered, be able to have and give others personal recommendations about what and who has worked with them in dealing with their personal family issues of chronic pain.
Educate Others Regarding Long-Term Consequences of Pediatric Pain
- Develop educational resources detailing the impact of chronic pediatric pain conditions on individuals across various age groups, emphasizing the persistent nature of these conditions and the long-term ramifications for patients and their families.
- Educate families, healthcare professionals, and educational institutes about the long-term emotional aspects of dealing with pain on a daily basis and not seeing an end to it and how best to support them.
- When appropriate, support legislative bills which make the lives easier of those suffering from chronic pain, through personal anecdotes, meetings, and letters.
Increase Awareness of Special Needs of Children Affected by Pediatric Pain
- Create a centralized web source to allow for easy access to disability laws for educational purposes from elementary school through post-graduate school.
- Create public media brochures describing pediatric pain conditions and awareness for schools, individuals, health care systems, etc.
- Serve as a central database to help others contact those that may be helpful in school advocacy positions, legal positions, state help positions, etc.
Fundraising for Organizations that Operate to Alleviate Pediatric Pain
- Create a research fund that will be donated to an organization and their particular research project or directly to researchers or institutions and programs that are researching, treating, or making a difference in alleviating pain disorders that affect kids. Final decisions on who will receive funding will be made through input from our medical advisory board and by final vote of all board members.
Provide Resources for and Funding to Families and Professionals Affected by Pediatric Pain
- Create an equipment/need/camp based fund with an allotted amount that can be given yearly to families for medical/equipment/emotional support (i.e. wheelchairs, trips to see doctors, specialized camps, programs etc.). An application will be created and interested individuals will submit an application. Final selection will be made by board members +/- advice from a board selected committee.
- Create a web based resource and central database of information for places that offer additional help with the above, with medical benefits, etc.
TCAPP Board Members
Our board includes parents, advocates, and professionals who are all dedicated to helping families of children with pediatric pain.
Sue Pinkham
President/Secretary
Sue Pinkham is a Mom whose daughter was diagnosed with CRPS/RSD in 2005 and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome in 2012. She has been involved in raising awareness of CRPS/RSD and chronic pain since 2008. Sue is one of the founding moms and the president of The Coalition Against Pediatric Pain. Her duties include presiding over board meetings, supporting children and families who live with pediatric pain conditions, fundraising, and working to fulfill the mission of TCAPP.
Mike Pinkham
Treasurer
Mike Pinkham is a Certified Public Accountant who received his Master of Science in Accounting from Suffold University in 2016. He has experience in tax and assurance and works with numerous non-profits, for-profit enterprises, and individuals. Having seen his cousing battle chronic pain for over a decade, Mike is committed to fulfilling the mission of TCAPP in any way he can. Mike serves as treasurer for TCAPP, where he is responsible for bookkeeping and compliance.
Jodi Pinkham
Board Member
Jodi has been part of TCAPP since day one as a teenager living in chronic pain. Jodi sends cards and Smiles to TCAPP kids, fundraises and organizes TCAPP’s Pediatric Pain Week at The Center for Courageous Kids. Jodi’s been living with chronic pain since the age of 14 and was eventually diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome after searching for answers for many years. She is passionate about helping children who live with chronic pain and aiding them to make connections with others who understand what they are going through.
Lexi Uslu
Board Member
Lexi is a 24 year old who lives with many chronic illnesses. She was diagnosed as a child and now her mission in life is to help other children find happiness despite being chronically ill. Lexi loves to help and support families and kids going through the struggle of living in chronic pain and having chronic illnesses. Lexi is a writer and enjoys spending time with her cat and husband (as well as helping TCAPP).
Lorie Goodall
Board Member
Lorie is a Mom of two children: Ashley, 33 and Andrew, 28. Ashley was diagnosed with RSD/CRPS at the age of 13 and many years and several doctors later she was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Mast Cell Activation Disorder and other health conditions. Andrew was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos syndrome at the age of 20. Lorie was the former Vice President of Rock Out to Knock Out RSD, Inc. and has been volunteering for many years with other non-profits. With over 20 years of experience helping others navigate this complicated medical journey, Lorie looks forward to working with TCAPP and continuing to help our community.
Ashley Goodall
Board Member
Ashley Goodall has been an advocate for individuals living with chronic pain for two decades in her role as President of Rock Out to Knock Out RSD, Inc. She was diagnosed with RSD as a young teenager and has since been diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, its comorbidities, and other medical conditions. Throughout her journey, Ashley has raised awareness and funds for those living with chronic pain. Her philosophy is centered around the belief that no one should have to face their struggles alone. She has been a consistent supported of TCAPP and is dedicated to furthering its mission.
Donna Sullivan
Board Member
Donna Sullivan is health writer, film producer, speaker and the proud mom of three kids navigating life with EDS. As a trailblazing
patient advocate, Donna has spent the last decade trying to raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by families dealing with
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, complex pain conditions, and rare diseases.
For over a decade, Donna has volunteered as a board member for The Coalition Against Pediatric Pain. She’s also serves on the board for The Connective Tissue Coalition and is the Director of
Patient Advocacy for Pathways To Trust, a non profit that educates healthcare providers and medical students about the unmet needs of marginalized patient populations.
Donna is also a member of the EDS Society AHEAD Coalition and has recently launched the Do No Harm Project, a patient-led effort to help improve safety and access to care for rare disease patients.
Deirdre Eschauzier
Board Member
Deidre is the mom of three children. One of her children was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome in 2011. She is committed to helping children with chronic pain conditions and their families and is thrilled to be on the Board.
Sidra Eschauzier
Board Member
Sidra is a senior at Wellesley College. She interned with the National Disability Rights Network and is planning to attend law school and have a career in disability rights advocacy.