New London — Dealing with chronic pain will be the topic of a free presentation at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital from 5:30 to 7 p.m. April 26 in Baker Auditorium in the main hospital. 

Presenter Ron Weaver is director of A Way Forward, a peer counseling program for managing chronic pain. 

Weaver will discuss how he has dealt with chronic pain for 25 years, the hospital said in a news release. His personal story includes dealing with his condition, being treated for dependence on pain medication and then finding a way forward to manage his own pain without heavy use of opiates. His program is designed to help people who share his pain management challenges, as well as helping people deal with opiate dependence. 

“It is my desire and passion to share what I’ve learned to help those dealing with chronic pain in their own life,” Weaver said. “The first thing you realize is pain is not your enemy or your friend. Pain is your companion. You have to begin the process to accept. This is step one.” 

The program is presented by L+M Hospital Community Partnerships and the L+M Hospital Pain Resource Nurse Program.

Admission is free.

Registration is required. To reserve a spot, call (800) 562-2537.