Description
Please join us on Saturday, April 20 at 6 p.m. at Persephone Brewing in Gibsons, B.C., for a special evening honouring the publication of The Pain Project: A Couple’s Story of Confronting Chronic Pain, the stunning new memoir by Sunshine Coast residents Kara Stanley and Simon Paradis.
Ten years ago, Simon was in an accident that injured his brain and spinal cord. A decade later, the two decide to confront Simon’s pain head-on by committing to a personal experiment. For one year, they will focus on researching, interviewing experts, and exploring both new, and age old, pain relief strategies.
As they navigate a difficult year, Kara’s tenacity and Simon’s wit shine through in their honest conversations, insightful journal entries, and affectionate banter. Throughout, they seek answers to profound questions about the nature of suffering and pain.
While tackling a difficult subject, the book is “ironically full of pleasure” and full of “generous, original insight,” says author Naomi Klein. Journalist Susan Orlean calls the work “a beautiful, humane and thoughtful inquiry.”
Honest, deeply researched, insightful, and ultimately hopeful, The Pain Project is a must-read for anyone looking for a greater understanding of pain as a phenomenon and in their own lives.
At this event, Kara and Simon will do a reading from the book, and then discuss their journey in conversation with Persephone founder Brian Smith.
This event will take place in Persephone’s fully accessible tasting room. It is free and open to everyone. The Beer Farm’s bookstore, Upstart Upstairs, will be selling copies of the book for signing by the authors.
Thank you to the publisher, Greystone Books, for its support of this event.
About the authors:
Kara Stanley is the author of Fallen: A Trauma, a Marriage, and the Transformative Power of Music and the novel Ghost Warning.
Simon Paradis has been a working musician since he was 15. A serious fall in 2008 resulted in life-altering injuries, but after a long rehabilitation process, he has returned to music again.
About the moderator:
Brian Smith is one of the founders of Persephone Brewing Company, among other social and impact ventures. He currently works with Boann Social Impact helping to deliver the Social Finance Fund. He loves the outdoors, being in nature and spending time with his three kids, dog, and partner Melissa.
More about the hosts:
Established in 2012, Persephone Brewing Co. was created to prove a theory — that beer could fuel positive impact, including economic development, food security and community resilience. Together with friends, partners, shareholders and team members, over 10 years it has done that and more.
Community is at the centre of Persephone, reflected in its tasting room, pub, bowling alley, brand, growth and customer experience. Persephone offers several venues that are extraordinary spaces for friends and family to come together to connect and grow.
Upstart & Crow is a not-for-profit literary arts studio and collection of bookstores that champions writers, readers and stories, and the role they play in shaping our lives. Upstart Upstairs is the location above Persephone Brewing’s tasting room.
Health precautions:
We want this event to be fun and safe. Masks are welcome, though we won’t enforce them. We hope that folks who come will be vaccinated and boosted and will stay home if they feel ill.
Accessibility:
Persephone’s tasting room is fully wheelchair accessible. Please contact us for any other access concerns.
Questions: hello@upstartandcrow.com.


The Pain Project: A Couple's Story of Confronting Chronic Pain
“The Pain Project is a beautiful, humane, thoughtful inquiry into the challenge of living with chronic pain and how Stanley and Paradis navigate its impact on their lives. This is a tough subject but a joyful book; it takes on a daunting topic with heart and humor and determination. It’s wonderful.”— Susan Orlean, author of The Orchid Thief and The Library Book