The Hamilton Spectator
(Jun 15, 2006)

What: An educational forum on managing psoriasis

When: Wednesday, June 21, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Where: McMaster University, The Michael DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, Room 3020

Contact: To register, send an e-mail to rsvp@stimulushealth.com or call 416-663-1500

If Dr. Peter Vignjevic ever decides to give up dermatology, he'll have no trouble getting work as a standup comic in Vegas.

The Hamilton physician has a way of finding humour in the grossest conditions of the skin, from genital warts to impetago.

Skin disorders are serious business, but the doctor finds humour is an effective technique for teaching people about skin ailments and how to combat them.

Dr. V., as he's known, will bring his delightful bedside manner to McMaster University next week for a public forum on psoriasis.

The event will be moderated by a dermatology nurse and also feature a psoriasis patient.

It's open to anyone with questions and concerns about the stubborn, chronic, inflammatory skin disease.

Admission is free, but seating is limited, so an early RSVP is recommended to avoid disappointment.

Living with chronic pain

Imagine a toothache.

Multiply it by a jillion and apply it 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for years and years and years.

Then maybe, just maybe, you'll be able to imagine living life with chronic pain. Chronic, incessant, persistent pain every waking hour of the day. It's a reality for hundreds of thousands of Canadians, more people than you'd think possible, including Linda Crabtree of St. Catharines, who lives with a neurological disorder known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth Syndrome. She describes it as "sitting in a pile of hot steel wool all the time." Crabtree is part of a St. Catharines-based group who call themselves the Searchers because they're always looking for help.

She'll be in Burlington this weekend at a chronic pain seminar for people with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), which is also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. It's being organized by a non-profit organization called PARC -- Promoting Awareness of RSD/CRPS in Canada.

Two respected experts on the subject will conduct the patient information session. Dr. Gareth Rhydderch is with the Hamilton Pain Management Centre and Dr. Harry Pollett is director of the Northside General Pain Clinic in North Sydney, N.S.

The session starts at 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn on Guelph Line at the QEW. Admission is $8 and guests can preregister by calling 905-934-0261 or sending an e-mail to rsdinfo@becon.org.

Laugh it up

What: Come one and all to a free Laughter Club gathering and laugh till it heals. Families are welcome.

When: Thursday, June 22 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Where: The Hamilton Spectator auditorium, 44 Frid St.

Contact: For more information, visit website laughingisgoodforyou.com

e-mail pam@pamtracz.com

or phone 905-296-1012.