RSD/CRPS Doesn't Own Me

Christa Whightsel is a 22 year old from Ohio. She has had RSD/CRPS for two years and each day is a struggle.

Christa was injured while taking the trash out at work one day and that injury from the trash cart running into her caused her RSD. She is currently living at home with her family and her two dogs. She likes to stay busy with her Amazing Friends and her Wonderful Husband Joey.

It helps her keep hope to bring happiness and hope into the lives of her fellow RSD Angels. So in order to spread more awareness and RSD Angel Hope she decided to start a group and non-profit organization called RSD/CRPS Doesn't Own me.

She is grateful to God for allowing her to be able to live life to the fullest and to have met all the amazing people she has.

Life is always worth living and Christa lives by this mantra, "Reach for the Stars,eventually your arm will stretch. If you fall short, reach with another person, even then you are that much closer!"

http://kissafightingfish.blogspot.com/

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Krista Lynn Hughes grew up in Savannah, Georgia. She enjoys spending time with her family, her friends, and her two Jack Russell Terriers. Krista is a Christian and her faith in God gets her through the day. She also loves writing poetry.

Krista was hospitalized in November 2006 because of a severe migraine. An IV had to be place in her left foot. Ever since then her foot has never been the same. She has seen six medical doctors since 2006. She was finally diagnosed with CRPS in February 2008.

“I have learned to cope by living my life day-to-day. Giving up isn't in my vocabulary and I will not let this disorder beat me. I can't change what has happened to me, but I can move forward and live my life the best way I can. CRPS is not just a painful disorder, but it changes every aspect of your life.”

http://kristalynn-crps.blogspot.com/

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My name is Kylee Black and I’m a 23 year old girl living in New Zealand.

On the 10 November 2008 I had a kickboxing accident where I partially tore the hamstring and groin muscle in my left leg as well as over stretching the sciatic nerve. RSD appeared pretty much immediately, although it wasn’t officially diagnosed until January... For me the colour changes were immediate and things spiraled out of control pretty quickly... By the time I was diagnosed it has already spread. By March I was bed bound, by May I was diagnosed full body with organ involvement. I had complications in which overnight I lost complete use of my left hand side... I have had to fight hard to regain use and continue to fight for that use... I have had many different treatments, including low and high dose ketamine treatments... The high dose ketamine treatments got me out of being bed bound... Though their availability in my country is no longer...

This is a long as twisted journey... I will not let it beat me... I will continue to fight and push myself... RSD does not define who I am... I am determined to stay positive in this and do what I can... I want to make a difference! Together united we can beat this disease! We will win!!

For more info visit me at my journal site: www.caringbridge.org/visit/kyleeblack

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Greetings, my name is Flora Langel DeKock. I am a 32 year old mother of a 9 year old millennium baby and a recent graduate with a BS in Religious Studies at the University of Northern Iowa. I excel with computer software and love learning new things. 
Unfortunately for the last 10 years, I have been learning about something second hand and first hand for the last 2-4 years myself. Sometime prior to when my son was born, my mother twisted her left ankle triggering a normally easily treated disorder called sinus tarsai syndrome which causes the fluid in the ankle to act as if it is infected and create a puss like substance which pushes pressure on the joints in the ankle. Unfortunately as this was not treated properly right away, it is believed the beginning cause of my mothers initial diagnosis of RSDS. Known then as reflexive sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, which wasn't diagnosed until she was a solid 3 years into the symptoms. Once diagnosed, I started researching what could help her, what could slow it down, what not to do and what to do. As I researched, I found time and time again on sites saying that those afflicted should NOT immobilize the limb, should not ice the area, should not do aggressive physical therapy. Three things that are standard treatment for the symptoms she was suffering without recognizing the disorder was in place. These three things my mother was forced to do for three years until the point where she broke and couldn't take anymore.
My mothers condition and all of the research I suggested women had higher chances of contracting the disorder. At the time, documentation suggested caucasian women over 40 were also more likely to be diagnosed with it as well as there were documents that suggest a genetic link. Since then, this documentation has been altered as they are recognizing it earlier and finding it in children as young as toddlers. There has even been found a significant difference in Vietnam where males have it more frequently than women. Lastly, since the starting of the increase in study, there has not been found any verified genetic link.