Framing My Pain Through the Lens of Faith

Written by Kelly Hodgkins for the RSDSA blog. My journey with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome started in 2008. I experienced incredible pain in my wrist and it was interfering with my ability to use my right arm. I went to my general practitioner who asked my to see an orthopedic surgeon who diagnosed ganglions. I was operated on to remove them only to have the pain increase post-operation. I was then referred to a hand specialist in Johannesburg, who after a number of tests, scans and shots of cortisone, operated on me and removed 3cm of inflammation and prescribed six months of rest and rehab. I was on a cocktail of potent anti-inflammatories and pain killers, none of which made…continue reading

Samantha Strasser Shares Her CRPS Story

We always appreciate when Warriors of all ages take a moment to share their CRPS story with us. During the 4th Annual RSDSA Long Island CRPS Walk & Expo, we heard 16-year-old Samantha Strasser, a CRPS Warrior for the last eight years, tell her story to attendees.   If you are interested in telling your CRPS story on the RSDSA blog or social channels, send us an email at alexisdavis@rsds.org. Please consider making a donation to RSDSA today!continue reading

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and Social Security Disability

Written by Molly Clark for the RSDSA blog Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, or CRPS, is a relatively uncommon condition that causes severe pain and other symptoms, usually after an injury. CRPS can last for a long time and make it impossible for someone to work. Anyone that expects to be out of work for at least 12 months can file a claim for Social Security disability benefits, including those suffering from CRPS. The money from disability benefits can help with living expenses while a person is unable to work.   Disability Benefits and CRPS There are a lot of conditions that qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Those conditions can all be found in the SSA’s Blue Book along with…continue reading

Going For Gold: A Story on CRPS and Opportunity

Written by Laura Hinkle for the RSDSA blog. On August 24, 1994, I fell climbing up to Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park and had a minor break my ankle. My life changed forever as I was diagnosed with RSD. I went through the common treatments in that time frame. The only thing that I found helpful was methadone and it became my answer to my RSD pain. But by 2013, the methadone was destroying my heart. In 2014 after 20 years on methadone, I was told that if I stayed on methadone I would not live much longer, or I could detox off methadone and live experiencing more pain. What a choice! I opted to detox off methadone and…continue reading

Join RSDSA for our Longest Day of Golf Fundraiser

Have you heard? RSDSA's 2019 Longest Day of Golf (LDOG) event will take place on Sunday, September 30th! LDOG is a one-day event to raise funds for RSDSA and bring awareness to complex regional pain syndrome best known as CRPS. This year, we will once again partner with prolific golfer and CRPS advocate, Josh Rosen. Rosen, who does not have the syndrome, decided to participate after learning about both our organization and CRPS. “Like many people, I didn’t know much about CRPS before connecting with Hank Luddington, co-president of RSDSA," says Rosen. "I love that I can use my golf ability to help people with CRPS. My goal is to help RSDSA fundraise enough to help more people get just…continue reading

Meet Our Team: Tracy Geer

This summer, we're taking the time to introduce the RSDSA team to our Warriors and their families so you can know the names and faces behind our organization. What is your name and title? I'm Tracy Geer and I'm the RSDSA Office Manager. How long have you been with RSDSA? November will mark nine years at RSDSA! What is your favorite part about working with RSDSA? My favorite part about RSDSA is working with Jim Broatch, our Executive Vice President and Director, and when a Warrior thanks us for helping and the information we provide them. What is your favorite quote? My favorite quote is easily, "May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your…continue reading

Drea’s CRPS Journey

Written by Drea Tunstall-Dooley for the RSDSA blog. In 2007, I  was 40-years-old when my life was permanently changed. I was going to get medicine for my friend who could not go outside because of her health. As I was crossing the street, I got hit by a car and ultimately broke my tibia and fibula in my left leg. Had I knew that I would never be the same again,  I probably would have opted against surgery. I had a rod and for pins placed in my leg, and things seemed to be progressing at a normal rate until I suddenly started going backwards with my pain. Living in New York and being on Medicaid, I do not feel…continue reading

My Journey to an Amazing Life

Written by Karen Richards The shower water is too hot, but I dare not turn it down because after two minutes it will become cold. As predicted, within a minute, the hot water has vanished, but I have to suffer in the cold until my conditioner is washed down the drain. Once the torturously icy shower is over, with my body wrapped in a towel, I walk two steps into my living room/bedroom and sit on my bed. My head hurts, my body hurts, everything hurts… I am not a stranger to any of the awful things happening in my body and I pray that tomorrow will be better. I shake my arms hoping the shooting pains going down them…continue reading

6th Annual Color The World Orange™ for CRPS/RSD Awareness is Nov. 4

Written by The Color The World Orange Team  Get your orange ready! The sixth annual Color The World Orange™ for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome/Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Awareness is November 4th. The easiest way to get involved is to wear orange and post a picture to social media with the hashtag #CRPSOrangeDay. Make sure to ask friends, family, support groups, and your medical teams to wear orange as well! Buildings, bridges, and landmarks around the world including Niagara Falls, the Duke Energy Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Calgary Tower in Calgary, Canada, the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada, the Blackpool Tower in Blackpool, England and many more will be lit orange on November 4th! In addition, U.S. politicians have granted…continue reading

Meet Our Team: Alexis Davis

This summer, we're taking the time to introduce the RSDSA team to our Warriors and their families so you can know the names and faces behind our organization. What is your name and title? I am Alexis Davis and I am the social media manager for RSDSA. How long have you been with RSDSA? I have been with RSDSA since April of this year and I have enjoyed every moment of the journey so far! What is your favorite part about working with RSDSA? My favorite part about working with RSDSA is learning more about CRPS, having the opportunity to tell the stories of Warriors who have the syndrome, and helping to spread awareness. This role has taught me a…continue reading