5th Annual Flame Out – A Walk to Extinguish CRPS/RSD

Having to give up a dream is hard, but often when one door closes another opens. The struggles along the way make achieving a new dream much more rewarding.

Please join our walk as we honor Judy Hopkins because forging a new path to success after getting CRPS is exactly what she had to do. This walk will honor Judy for her perseverance and triumphs while battling this insidious disease and to give hope to others to make their dreams real.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) formally known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is a complex, rare pain syndrome characterized by intense, persistent pain which induces changes in the peripheral and central nervous system.

CRPS/RSD is rated as the most painful chronic pain condition in the world today. Currently there is no cure. Help us change that.

When Judy Hopkins of Allenhurst, NJ had to leave school due to chronic illness, she wasn’t sure she would ever be able to continue her education. Two decades later, she has completed her undergraduate degree, and her unexpected path has led her to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

In 2002, Judy was an undergraduate junior studying Dance and Theater at another university when she fell ill and became bedridden for 14 years. No longer able to sing and dance competitively, Judy’s pursuit of this dream ended. In 2018, she found the strength to return to school in her 40s, starting part-time at Brookdale Community College to pursue a new path and study Psychology. She then transferred to Georgian Court as a full-time student and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

This past year, Judy assisted Dr. Nicola A. Meade, Assistant Professor of Psychology. After she joined Dr. Meade as her research assistant, Judith was awarded a prestigious NASA NJ Space Grant for undergraduate research for the 2022-2023 school year.

Judy received a $2,000 stipend from NASA for her research project titled Women’s Cost for Motherhood Expectations in the Workplace, which she conducted under the guidance of Dr. Meade. Judy presented the results of this project in April at the NJ Space Grant Poster Session for NASA Undergraduate Student Researchers.

“The experience was new and exciting to me. It turned out to be so much more than I expected, and I have learned so much from Dr. Meade,” said Judy. “This topic fascinates me, and it is vital to improving the mental health and well-being of mothers.”

Judy completed the research for the NASA grant before graduating, however, she is still conducting an ongoing content analysis with Dr. Meade. Judy is planning on  applying to graduate school.

Judy’s ultimate goal is to earn a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Health Psychology and open her own practice to treat chronically ill patients.

“I had an incredible psychologist throughout my life who inspired me to want to help others in the same way. I had learning disabilities when I was younger, and he helped me deal with that. He was also there for me when I got sick,” said Judiy. “A lot of people living with chronic illness  deal with isolation, and they are lacking the care they need for their mental health. That is where I want to make a difference.”