Home > Stories Of Hope
Some of the most inspiring people we’ve ever known are living with CRPS/RSD as patients or caregivers. Yes, it’s a tough and frightening condition. But those who do the best, maintain a positive and hopeful outlook.
They are also generous about sharing their stories and their advice for having a good life and finding enjoyment and fulfillment in ways they never imagined possible before their diagnosis. We do not sugar coat the challenges of living with CRPS/RSD, but we know how important the CRPS/RSD Stories of Hope that follow are to remaining on a productive path into the future.
Please take strength from these articles and videos. We also invite you to share your own Story of Hope with the RSDSA community. Contact us to find out how!
- Back From The Brink: Chronic Pain Is No Match For Callie Seaman
By: Christina Keim - Watch this video as Samantha Strasser shares her CRPS Story at the 4th Annual RSDSA Long Island CRPS Awareness Walk & Expo, East Meadow, NY
- How I’m Managing My Chronic Pain Without Opioids
By Tessa Frank, Heidelberg, Germany - From Therapist to Client: How My Healing Experiences with CRPS Can Help Others
By Julie Robbins, OTR/L - Patients Pre and Post Ketamine Infusions – Video
By Ashraf F. Hanna, M.D. - Living with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, RSD: “Never Give Up On Hope”
By Brenda Refior - Teacher Turned Student
by Lana Santoro - Andrea Emmes Story of Hope
by Andrea Emmes - Cole’s Story of Hope and Success
by Brenda Brookins - Developing CRPS/RSD and Finding Hope
by Katie Murphy - Living With Burning Pain. One Patient’s CRPS Story
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a long-term, chronic condition that causes severe burning pains and other unpleasant symptoms. For Margaret Twitty, the intense pain started in her right foot.
by Margaret Jaworski - Natalia’s Story
by Myrna Concepcion - My Story of Hope and Courage
by Allison Morris - Perfect ACT score: Menlo-Atherton student, Cameron Bozdog achieves rare feat
Atherton senior’s feat puts her among one-tenth of 1 percent of all test-takers
by Kevin Kelley | kkelly@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group - UNC DL Nazair Jones was nearly paralyzed five years ago
by Andrea Adelson – ESPN Staff Writer - Runners, Walkers Raise Money to ‘Fight the Flame’ of Chronic Disease – by Alex Peterson
CHARLOTTE – Runners and walkers of all ages took part in the 4th Annual “Fight the Flame 5K” Sunday morning, November 5, 2016 at McAlpine Creek Park, raising money for a degenerative neurological disease called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). The disease leaves patients like Beth Stillitano in constant pain, often feeling sensations of burning or stabbing throughout her body. Stillitano’s son founded the race four years ago as a service project in honor of his mother. - Eric Chow’s Story of Hope
by Eric Chow - Kori’s Story- Paying It Forward
by Beth Meadows - Spreading the Word
By Stefani Kronk - Supporting Role: CRPS Support Group Leader Awarded Hero of Hope
By Stefani Kronk - Yvonne Linton’s Story of Hope
by Yvonne Linton - Giving Back
- People from all over the country and the world responded to RSDSA’s recent e-mail regarding volunteering with CRPS, and confirmed what I had suspected: people with CRPS might experience physical limitations, but are unlimited in their energy and desire to be part of the world. These responses were as varied and unique as the paths of CRPS. Underlying each response was the common need to interact, to be of assistance, and to put something or someone ahead of their CRPS—even if only for a few moments. From the plethora of unique ideas, the possibilities seem endless! These testimonials are an excerpt from our upcoming brochure on giving back.
- Our Basic Human Pleasures: Food, Sex and Giving
By Nicholas D. Kristof, The New York Times
Your Stories
Reversing Chronic CRPS
By Roger G. Carlsen
Coping With Pain and no Longer Nursing
By Tara White
Dont Give Up
There is Hope for Chronic Pain Relief
By Carolyn Laraway
Living with CRPS
By Viki Anders
The Power of Hope—The Bond that Connects Us All
By Nicole Hemmenway
Battling CRPS with Hope, Faith, and Daily Determination
By Heather J. Davies, PhD
This Tough Cookie Isn’t About to Crumble: One of the Faces of APF
Jannie White, Michigan Power Over Pain Action Network Leader
My Life With RSD
By Louise Plaster
Hope and Transformation—The Means to Recovery
By Kathleen Campbell, M. Div
Training for Life
By Jane O’Laughlin
Truly Moved Beyond Words
By Tricia Scott
My Story
By Keven Mosley-Koehler
25 Years Later
By Keven Mosley-Koehler
Hitting it Big in Las Vegas
By Keith Groller
Endless Struggle With a New Twist
By Idamarie Scimeca Duffy
Let the Healing Begin
By Tina Mohr
Getting Off of the Merry-Go-Round
By Barbara Schaffer
Suicide Stories
Suicide: Tips for Prevention
By Linda Lang
The Taboo of Suicide
By Linda Lang
Suicide and Depression Awareness for Students
People contemplating suicide or experiencing the depths of a severe depression might not be able to see any other way out of their pain than ending their lives. From teenagers to college students, LGBT to the elderly, people struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts need options, reassurance, hope and help.