RSDSA :: stories

Stories of Hope


David Faile of Connecticut, a Gold Seal Flight Instructor, the 1999 National Flight Instructor of the Year, and member of the FAA Safety Team, climbed Ayres Rock in Australia.		Jane O'Laughlin uses triathon training to manage her CRPS.


Trudy Lapinskis, a British member, presented a CRPS awareness petition for Prime Minister Tony Blair.		Louise Plaster and Barbara Schaffer at the 2002 Bounty of Hope Dinner.


Patti O'Donnell (center) at a first-grade class discussing how service dogs are community helpers. Read Patti's story here (PDF).

Giving Back

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

Take Flight With Hope: Stories of Hope and Transformation
This brochure offers an array of patient stories, and as Executive Director Jim Broatch, MSW, writes "People make changes, they move forward, they live lives they never imagined they could or would. CRPS brings huge losses, but, as you will read, there are significant gains as well."
Single copies are available free for our members. Additional copies are available for $2 (members) and $3 (non-members).

Living with CRPS (PDF)
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

Anna Brilliant's Story
Testimony from the NJ CRPS Awareness/Education Bill Hearing

Drumming Through the Pain
By Don Doman, Jr.

My Life With RSD
By Louise Plaster

Hope and Transformation—The Means to Recovery
By Kathleen Campbell, M. Div
(Note: The link at the beginning of this section takes you to the abridged version of Ms. Campell's excellent 36-page article; for a link to the entire article, click here.)

Training for Life
By Jane O'Laughlin

Truly Moved Beyond Words
By Tricia Scott

My Story
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

Remembering Rachel Tobias

RSD and Your Family

Talking With...

Using Imaging to Restore Function: Talking with Elizabeth McBride Nielsen
By Debra Nelson-Hogan

Raising Awareness in the UK: Talking With Trudy Lapinskis
By Daria Charlesworth