A Founder's Story
Ron Weaver - Director, A Way Forward
Ron Weaver has dealt with chronic pain related to a health condition for 30 years. After that single modality, traditional medical treatment failed, Ron was treated for dependence to pain medications and found he had no clear path ahead for the actual pain that his condition did create. He then committed to learn how to manage his own pain and move forward in life without heavy use of opiates. Ron’s personal struggles led him to begin a peer counseling program, which is dedicated to helping people who share his pain management challenges. Ron speaks to physicians and groups working with chronic pain patients. The AWF program brings its dynamic education program to pain patients who may not know of any other way to treat their pain other than the traditional medication treatment plan of prescriptions. It is so important that the patient learns that there are additional, new, ways to deal with their pain and the AWF Program gives them powerful tools by which they can themselves actively participate in getting better. In the current climate of reduced use of Opioids, the AWF program is a powerful missing piece to our existing pain treatment.
Testimonials
“Through A Way Forward my prescription use is down about 80 percent, and I have learned techniques to manage the pain, and communicate better with my doctor and loved ones. I wouldn’t have believed it two and a half years ago. I believe it now because I am living proof.”
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Robert Casey, Chronic Pain Patient and “A Way Forward” graduate
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“Since going through the program I am much more engaged than I have ever been. It is my goal to be more engaged with the world instead of just being my pain. One of the biggest benefits that I got out of “A Way Forward” is you’re listening to these people talk, and they’re saying the same thing you’re saying. The support is amazing.”
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Jeff Menter, Chronic Pain Patient and “A Way Forward” graduate
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“While lost in the darkness and hopelessness of unmanageable, incurable chronic pain, I was led down the path to Ron Weaver and A Way Forward. It was through this program that I found just that, A Way Forward. Not a way out of, or through the pain, as it will always be my companion, but a way to reclaim my name, my identity, my life; A Way Forward into a better place and a life worth living.”
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Caryn M. Shepler, Chronic Pain Patient and “A Way forward” graduate
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“The A way Forward program has taught me many valuable ways to handle and live with my pain. In learning to separate my pain from my emotions, I have more joy in my life. I now feel better equipped and look forward to my future, and my life with my pain, instead of having a painful life.”
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Susan McGee, Chronic Pain Patient and “A Way Forward” graduate
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If you have a testimony that you'd like to share with the A Way Forward community please feel free to contact us and we'll be sure to add it to this very space. Your story is cared about and it will inspire others to come to the same program you have come to. Thank you for your participation in the A Way Forward program.
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The A Way Forward Team
A Way Forward, LLC
Pain Management Program
Contact
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Ron Weaver, Founder and Director
A Way Forward, LLC
7736 N Government Way suite #6
Academic and Professional Preparation
Education
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Institution and Location of Degree Date Received Major
Foothills Christian College BA 1984 Education
Foothills Christian College Certification 1984 Teaching
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Agency and Location Type Dates
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A Way Forward, LLC Founder/Director 2015-present
Dalton Gardens Id.
CCAR Recovery Coach Academy Certification 2013-present
Hartford, Ct
CCAR Trainer of Trainers Certification 2013-present
Hartford, Ct
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CCAR Ethics coach Certification 2014-present
Hartford, Ct
Heritage Health peer counselor 2013-present
Recovery Idaho coach Certification 2013-present
Boise, Id
Recovery Idaho Trainer Certification 2013-present
Professional Experience
Date Employer and Location Position/Responsibilities
2014-present A Way Forward, Founder/Director conducts ongoing sessions at Heritage Health in Coeur d’Alene, ID and their other clinics throughout Kootenai County, Axis Spine Center, Post Falls, ID, Marimn Health, Plummer, ID, Idaho Pain Clinic, Sandpoint, ID, CHAS in Spokane, WA. He also is an ongoing presenter for Heritage Health Kroc RX and Heritage Health Chronic Care Classes in Coeur d’Alene, ID. Sessions have previously been conducted at Northwest Specialty Hospital, Post Falls, ID and Integrated Pain Management, Spokane, WA.
Ron Weaver has been a featured speaker for the following organizations and medical conferences. He will be a presenter at the North Idaho Rx Opioid Solution Symposium September 12th, 2018, sponsored by the Panhandle Health District. He will also be a featured speaker at the Moses Lake Medical Conference October 20th, 2018.
Idaho Conference of Alcohol/Drug Dependency, Boise, ID, May 2018
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September 2017 to present task force member for the Idaho Office of Drug Policy
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American Society of Pain Management Nursing, Phoenix, AZ, September, 2017
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Tri-Cities Pain Conference, Pasco, WA, April 2017
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Yale New Haven Health, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital Community Partnerships & Lawrence + Memorial Hospital Pain Resource Nursing Program and CT Community and Health Care Professional Presentations, New London, CT, April, 2017
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Northwest Regional Primary Care Association, Spokane, WA, May, 2017
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Gritman Medical Center Health Care Providers, Moscow, ID, March 21st, 2017
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Wenatchee Pain and Spine Conference, Wenatchee, WA, February 4th, 2017
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University of Washington, The Challenge of Pain Conference, Seattle, WA, January 19th, 2017
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Tri-State Medical Center Physicians, Clarkston, WA, December 6th, 2016
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Spokane Pain Conference, Spokane, WA, October 14th, 2016
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Facilitator for Washington State University Clinical Trials, Coeur d’Alene, ID, Summer 2016
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The North Idaho Chronic Pain Symposium, sponsored by Heritage Health and “A Way Forward.” Coeur d’Alene,ID, June 23rd, 2016
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Heritage Health Physicians Coeur d’Alene, ID, March 2nd, 2016
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Coeur d’Alene Sunrise Rotary, Coeur d’Alene, ID, December 1st, 2015
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American Society of Pain Management Nursing, Atlanta, GA, September, 2015
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Rotary Club of Coeur d’Alene, Coeur d’Alene, ID, June 19th, 2015
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American Society of Pain Management Nursing, Palm Springs, CA, May, 2015
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Kootenai Health Pain Seminar, Coeur d’Alene, ID April 30th, 2015
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Post Falls Multiple Sclerosis Organization, Post Falls, ID, March 9th, 2015
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Pain Management Seminar held at Kootenai Health, Coeur d’Alene, ID, September, 2014
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Lake City Community Church Congregation, Coeur d’Alene, ID, August, 2014
Employment
Employer and Location Date Position
Safeway Canada 1984 - 1989 Meat Manager
Calgary, Alberta
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SaveMart Supermarkets 1989 - 1995 Meat Manager
Modesto, California
Fred Meyers 1995 - 2010 Meat Manager
Spokane, Washington
download ron weaver's cv here