1996 - Present
The IAS had its beginnings around mid-1996 when adhesions
patients, desperate to find answers, came across the
web site of the then recently formed Synechion Inc.
(www.synechion.com) a consulting company specializing
in the science and business of post-operative adhesions
founded by, and presided over by Dr.
David Wiseman.
The cries for help were as painful then as they are
today: Why I am the only one that has this? Why doesn't
anyone believe me? Where can I find help? Why do I
have adhesions? Why doesn't anyone know about
adhesions? Why can’t anyone cure me?
Attempting to keep up with the correspondence and
realizing that a there was a significant lack of awareness
about adhesions, Dr. Wiseman teamed up in October 1997
with Roberta and Bruce Speyer, the founders, and then
owners, of www.obgyn.net. By April 1998 obgyn.net was
hosting popular monthly chats with Dr. Wiseman on the
subject of adhesions. Dr. Wiseman’s email volume
(and phone) continued to increase to the point that
it was impossible to answer everyone. Around this time,
it was decided to post a
review article on adhesions in
the hope that most patients could find most of their
answers
there, leaving only the most difficult questions for
email. Of course this had the opposite effect and so,
polling the growing band of adhesions-chat followers,
the name “International Adhesions Society” was
chosen and a fledgling version of the adhesions.org
web launched in March 1999. Among our many accomplishments
are:
- Provided an internet presence at www.adhesions.org that receives over 30,000 visitors each month.
- Top ranked site on most major search engines.
- Development of a global volunteer network to assist
the IAS in its mission to create global awareness
for ARD.
- Clearinghouse of patient, research and product
information.
- Assisted ARD patients in obtaining disability coverage.
- Received recognition
for ARD in the legislatures
in many USA states.
- Sponsored Patient Advocacy Campaing in January
2002 for the development of an ICD-9 Code for the
Placement of Adhesion Barriers during surgery.
- Conducted ground breaking
research into ARD that
has opened up new understandings of adhesions, ARD
and CAPPS and their treatment from the perspective
of the patients.
- Instrumental in establishment of the world's first
clinic dedicated to the adhesions patient.
- Coined the terms Adhesions Related Disorder (ARD)
and Complex AbdominoPelvic and Pain Syndrome (CAPPS)
and is responsible for their widespread use, which
has lead to an increased awareness about adhesions.
- Instrumental in having the term ARD recognized
byt he U.S. House of Representatives (see page 78
of Report
of the Committee on Appropriations to the
House of Representatives on September 7, 2004).
- Presented at an FDA Advisory
Panel Meeting to discuss
the FDA Guidance Document on Devices for Surgical
Adhesions.
Many of our accomplishments could not have taken place
without the help of the our Support Group Coordinators,
Volunteers, Sponsors and Friends of the IAS. To
all of you, we say a heartfelt ~ Thank You.
For more information or to request a media or sponsor
package, please contact
us.
ARD = Adhesions Related Disorder
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