Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP)
The Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) is established in 2023 to acknowledge the expertise of lived experience in pain management with the kaupapa to advise the Council of the New Zealand Pain Society.
LEAP is chaired by a lived experience member comprising seven members of lived experience in total, including two professional members (one NZPS liaison council member and one NZPS member).
The inaugural LEAP members and co-chairs are,
Co-chairs: Deb Thompson (Auckland) and Natalie Snaddon (Wellington)
Members:
Karen Browne (Dunedin)
Julian Avinsenis (Wellington)
Elizabeth McKee
Rongomaiwahine Higgins-Herewini
Maria Sainsbury
Hazel Godfrey (Wellington - Incoming NZPS Member/LEAP Secretary)
Louise Sheppard (Christchurch - NZPS Member/LEAP Secretary)
Tim McVicar (Auckland - NZPS Council Member)
Biographies of LEAP members:
Natalie Snaddon (Co-chair)
Natalie Snaddon is co-chair of the Lived Experience Advisory Panel. Natalie was part of the group of previous “graduates” from the in-person Pain Management Programme run through Wellington Hospital’s Pain Service, that worked on the co-design of the iSelf Help Pain Management Programme. Natalie then moved into working on this Programme as a Peer Support Facilitator for the research phase of the project through Otago University. Natalie transitioned across to working for the Pain Service at Wellington Hospital as the Peer Support Facilitator once the research had been completed and the on-line programme became part of their service delivery. Natalie is now working in the same role with the Southland Pain Service at Dunedin Hospital. Natalie is passionate about peer support and growing this into both an integral part of pain management programmes and a career for people living with chronic, persistent pain. Natalie recommends “Atomic Habits” by James Clear and his new “Atoms” app as her favourite resource.
Deb Thompson (Co-chair)
Deb Thompson is co-chair of the Lived Experience Advisory Panel. She lives with persistent pain and Fibromyalgia. Deb has 30 years teaching experience. She recently graduated as a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach and is coaching people with Fibromyalgia to live full & wonderful lives. Over the last 10 years Deb has developed her skills in pain advocacy and gives regular talks to health professionals about living with pain. She has contributed to local research and was on the EAG for the Ministry of Health’s redesign of NZ pain services. Deb believes every person living with pain deserves to be heard, understood and to be the driver of their own health care.
Karen Browne
I have worked in or alongside the health system most of my working life, having been an Enrolled Nurse, Cardio-Pulmonary Technician, Ambulance Officer and Communications Supervisor for an ambulance service, and at Otago Medical School as an administrator. In 2016 I suffered an injury to my spine resulting in chronic pain and other symptoms, which are limiting and frustrating!
I am keen to bring my life experience to the table in order to assist others, and to work collaboratively with others on the panel to ensure equitable access to the care those suffering with chronic pain deserve and need.
Julian Avinsenis
Tēnā koe, I'm Julian Avisenis,
One of the peer support facilitators for the Hutt Hospital Pain service in Wellington.
Ex electrical engineer and service technician/specialist.
My involvement in the pain service and the start of my lived experience began after a back injury brought a congenital spinal condition to light (spondylolisthesis) and an unfortunately timed motorcycle accident left me in constant debilitating pain, having since learned how to live my life to the fullest despite that pain.
I have been very fortunate over the last few years to be able to help others do the same alongside the team and program that changed my life for the better.
As well as having the privilege to be involved in a research project around chronic pain and the humbling experience of speaking publicly at a conference on the knowledge gleaned during my peer support role within the pain service.
When I am not busy working and sharing my experiences in this space, I can be found exercising, out and about walking with my little dog, in the shed with my countless hobbies, tinkering with some technical marvel, building and flying radio controlled aircraft or in the lab growing delicious edible gourmet mushrooms.
Elizabeth McKee
I am privileged to serve as a member of the Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) for the New Zealand Pain Society, working alongside a dedicated and inspiring team. I am committed to sharing insights from lived experience to enhance pain management strategies. Having encountered both effective and challenging support, I continue to develop strategies that work for me and I am passionate about advocating for equitable care. I understand the importance of being heard and recognise that our voices carry the truth of our experiences. By having our narratives valued, we can drive meaningful changes to policy, guidance, and services provided. It is an honour to collaborate with this remarkable group to improve outcomes for those living with chronic pain.
Hazel Godfrey
Hazel Godfrey stands in two pain worlds: lived experience expertise and academia. Hazel has fibromyalgia and endometriosis, and a chronic pain history dating back to when she was 10-years old. Hazel believes lived experience involvement can make a difference to how people with chronic pain are supported by their healthcare providers and how people with chronic pain are understood. In her work life, Hazel weaves together lived-experience (her own and others’) and research-informed knowledge into exploring how university students, the public, and healthcare providers learn about the science of stigmatised subjective experiences like pain. Hazel is excited to be contributing to LEAP's mahi as the new NZPS LEAP Regular Member & Secretary. Hazel will shadow Louise for the rest of 2025, and they will transfer the role fully from Louise to Hazel in 2026. You can read more about Hazel in Issue 3, 2021, of Ngau Mamae, and she blogs at pinchesofpain.com.