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INTRODUCTION
Every day, those with RSD/CRPS soldier on and live their lives
despite chronic pain. This page is a tribute to those who are
doing something special with their lives such as helping others
or spreading the word on this disease. Some have a loved one
with RSD/CRPS. Some lost their loved one. We commend them all
for their fortitude, perseverance and courage. We salute them
for carrying on despite the numerous obstacles they face every
day, while living with this disabling disorder.
Recently, the Olympic Torch was the vehicle for bringing about
awareness of CRPS in Canada. Thanks to those brave patients who
carried the torch in 2010! Read Paula Orecklin's story.
They are a tribute to the breadth and strength of the human spirit.
May they uplift us all!
Profiles:
TERRIFIC TEEN
Ayala is a wonderful, resilient young lady living near Ottawa.
During the first minute of a floor hockey game at school when
she was 10 years old, she was hit with a slapshot of the puck
to her knee, which was the trigger to her RSD. Ayala and her family
has had a roller coaster ride, like many other children and adults,
with finally getting the proper diagnosis, searching for the best
available treatment, and in receiving understanding from her peers
and relatives.
Aya is rising above her pain, and has dedicated herself to creating
a web site with a positive outlook that leaves visitors to her
site with a sense of hope and inspiration. Her site, has brought
attention to and created a greater awareness of RSD through interviews
in major Canadian and local newspapers and CBC Radio.
Ayala plans to update her site and is the midst of compiling
and writing a book of poetry and songs (as well as a novel in
the works!) and intends on using its proceeds toward RSD research.
UPDATE April 2002: Ayala Ravek will be receiving
the Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Award in April from the
Lt. Governor of Ontario .Congratulations Aya!!! We are very proud
of you!
UPDATE June 2004: Canadian Living Magazine features
"HEARTBEATS" with a photo and article about Ayala and
her fight against CRPS.
Toronto Star June 3, 2004 Section G: features
Ayala and her story on CRPS. You may be able to find it online
at www.thestar.com and search by subject.
As Aya likes to quote, "Positive thinkers feel the intangible,
see the invisible, and achieve the impossible."
At the TEEN CORNER, feel free to e-mail her with any questions
or ideas. To visit her site, please visit our links page.
OUR POET PHYLLIS
Phyllis has RSD and lives in Oceanside, CA. She is married to
an engineer, has 2 sons, 2 grandsons and 1 granddaughter. Her
greatest love is interior decorating and she also enjoys floral
arranging ie. weddings, parties etc. Since being diagnosed with
RSD, her new profession is 'therapy' mental and physical.
" I write now because it helps me to understand myself and
it gives me a 'release' of sorts. I can write what I feel, no
one has to listen to me complain and you only read my work if
you want to. I have recently heard from a few people who have
read my work; their comments were the same, "'You wrote just
what I am feeling.'" I started keeping a diary at the request
of my psychologist, who encouraged me to continue. I began putting
short poems into my diaries to him. Before I knew it, I had written
30 poems. Writing seems to give me a purpose."
UPDATE: Two of Phyllis' poems will
be published this year. Congratulations, Phyllis!
A CONVERSATION
WITH PAIN
by Phyllis Van Wormer
Pain, why do you pierce and poke at my poor body.
You have plagued me for years, I ask you now, go please.
I searched for a palace, tall and proud -- I needed a pristine
dwelling
in which to store my power.
Palace, pristine, proud, you must be mistaken? Those words would
never
describe me.
Pain, leave me now, for I tire of thee.
Remember, years ago, the very first time you acknowledged my
existence.
You were tall and proud, your body a palace of pale pink.
Your soul was pristine.
You were the prize I sought, the palace I conquered.
After all, you were promised to me.
Yes Pain, I remember, with your cruelty you plundered my body
and
pillaged my bones.
Life seeped through my pores as my blood flowed like a river,
pooling
around body. As I gasped for air, the warm red fluid filled my
lungs.
Oh, I struck you hard, I did. I took over your body as you began
to
breathe your last breath. It pleasured me so, to conquer one so
pure.
I was praised highly for that fete.
I stood over you proudly, each time you grimaced, or when a tear
rolled down your cheek.
Your pallor was no longer pink, but shallow, like plaster before
being kissed by the sun.
But I fought back, Pain! For prolonged moments you were gone.
I remember floating in a garden of blue; rays of light poured
from beyond.
It was then I heard a far away voice, it called out to me.
A pitcher of pure gold appeared; it contained a scant bit of powerful
brew. It was all I needed to escape thee, Pain.
Piece by piece, I rebuilt my body and my life.
It was plain to see, I became more powerful than thee.
Yes, you took control-- but remember I returned the next year.
You paid a handsome price for besting me. I pounded and pelted
you with sorrow and hurt.
Your prior victory crushed, I proudly preened while my peers bestowed
me with their cheers.
I remember how you pierced my heart and punctured my soul.
My sweet child was sacrificed to give you pleasure.
You plucked her from my womb --alas, that was the price I paid
for besting you.
Yes-- I saw you weeping-- you cried from the punishment I bestowed
upon you. Your heart pined for the pretty babe.
But once again I rose up, I found more power; I fought you off.
As long as I could keep you from your pleasure -- I found peace.
I've proclaimed you my palace. There is no part of you strong
enough to fight me now.
My pleasure is your plight; I will see you undone.
Please pain, I've suffered enough. You are constant now, never
ending
in your pursuit to punish me. Your power has plainly out done
me. I've
protection from your wrath.
And oh, the pleasure! You are my prize. So proud am I now that
your
future is mine.
Pierce through my body if you must, pound on me with all your
might.
I promise you now --you will not take my life --you cannot have
my soul.
Struggle if you must --but like a pest, I shall remain.
Is there no compromise, Pain? I need purpose in my life. You
have
pillaged me so; must you now devour all that I am? Have you no
passion,
why must I plead for a moment of peace?
I offer you a challenge --- ignore me if you can. You claim to
have
power--use it, push me away.
I accept your challenge, Pain. My life will be rebuilt --I will
ignore
you. Each breath I take will inhale power --and exhale Pain.
Phyllis can be reached at: phyllisvw@hotmail.com
UNSUNG HERO
For many years, Eric has been a well known crusader for RSD/CRPS.
Based in Massachusetts, Eric has sent out information, contacted,
and arranged for medical assistance for countless people around
the globe. At the International RSD Foundation, he quietly works
behind the scenes to help those with RSD get the help they need.
His tireless efforts have resulted in three excellent RSD conferences
in 1995, 1997 and 2000. He coordinated the Winter Medical Conference
(Nov.30-Dec.2,2000) in Orlando, Florida. A year and a half in
preparation, the conference was well attended by 160 patients
and 68 professionals. It was well organized, informative and of
great benefit to both doctors and patients. Eric is also assistant
to Dr Hooshmand, a well known neurologist who treats RSD/CRPS
patients. Dr Hooshmand has since retired but Eric continues to
help patients.
We wish to acknowledge Eric's many years of hard work to promote
awareness, educate the medical community, assist patients and
promote research even though he has longstanding RSD. Eric is
proof that having RSD means one can still accomplish great things.
He continues to be an inspiration to us all.
UPDATE: 2010
Eric is walking again after a long road of rehabilitation. Your
dream came true, Eric!
Please visit the International RSD Foundation at
our links page.
MY DAD: TONY
This wonderful letter was written by Tony's son and received
by PARC in May 2001:
I would like to nominate my Dad. Since I was 6 years old I been
living with my dad. He has rsd in his arm and now in his leg .He
has had it for over ten years now. My dad is the best dad. He
is the coach of my soccer team. He also is a member of the parents
association at my boys and girls club in London. My dad is the
person that started single fathers rights groups in London and
has helped lots of dads get custody of their children. My dad
is always in pain and can't do lots of things he wants to but
he does not let me know how bad it hurts and he is always here
for me when I need him. My dad has information on his web site
to help other people with rsd and single fathers learn all they
can. My dad is the best dad in the world. He helps all people
that need his help and never asks for anything back. He just wants
to help people learn.
Jacob McPhee I am 10
Editor's Note: Tony has been the mastermind behind the PARC
Awareness Campaign to educate Canadian doctors about RSD. We thank
him for contributing countless hours to the CD project which is
currently in Phase 1. Way to go Tony!
LISA SHORE
A memorial site for 10-year-old Lisa Shore, whose death at the
Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada on October 22, 1998,
was found to be a homicide by a coroner's inquest jury. Lisa died
hours after going to hospital in severe pain from a flare-up of
RSD. The web site is an effort by Lisa's family to seek justice
for Lisa's wrongful death.
UPDATE Nov. 2004: Read about the struggle by
the Shore family to find out the truth about Lisa's death in a
new book written by Sharon Shore, mother of Lisa. An excerpt from
the book: NO MORAL CONSCIENCE can be read at: www.lisashore.com
LIFE BEFORE
AND AFTER SPINAL CORD STIMULATOR
by Bryant Frazer
I had my Dorsal Column Stimulator (DCS) implant surgery
and this is how my journey started…...
My name is Bryant, I’m 43 and, I was rudely
introduced to the world of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) back
in January of 2000. My RSD was a result of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
surgery (TOS). I had the top rib removed on my right side, to repair
the effects of TOS, and that is the day my life changed. I awoke
from the surgery in severe pain thinking that it was the result
of the surgery. I spent 3 days in intensive care and then was released
from the hospital, to recuperate at home.
I live in Northern Saskatchewan, just over 500 kilometers (one way)
from Saskatoon where the surgery was performed. So one can imagine
my trip home after a few days stay in Saskatoon was quite the ordeal.
So after three months of sleeping on the couch, (I couldn’t
sleep flat at all,), a complication from the surgery, I returned
to see the surgeon. The surgeon took one look at my hand and then
after a “little” complaining on my part about still
having severe pain, and seeing the swelling of my hand, figured
it might be RSD and sent me to another doctor who had knowledge
of RSD. This surgeon set me up with an appointment in the pain clinic
that day.
That is when I had my first of 6 sympathetic nerve blocks using
Guanethidine, one per week, for 6 weeks. The first few had some
effect and relief, but only lasted for a day or so, and didn’t
totally relieve the pain. But any relief at all is welcome, even
if one has to travel for the treatment.
During this time I started physiotherapy. No one had heard of RSD
in town where I live. The therapist called the pain clinic and finally
came up with a program that might work for me. In between the trips
to Saskatoon for treatments, there was the daily physiotherapy routine.
I was off work for about 8 months doing physiotherapy, I decided
to go back to work in the modified work department at my company.
At least I could make an income for all the trips I had to take.
On the final trip to Saskatoon the stellate ganglion block worked
for a while, but in the end I was back to where I was before with
the pain.
By this time, the effects of RSD were starting to show in my right
hand. Clawing of the hand had started and the muscle and tendons
were shrinking. To this day my hand is still clawed and I have lost
all fine manipulation and strength in this hand, but I haven’t
lost all use.
During this time the doctors were also trying different pain medications
to find me some relief. The drugs either didn't work or I had drug
reactions. This was also the time (2002) that I had another change
in my family doctor, the second one since this began. Living in
the north this happens quite often since most of our doctors are
from out of country and are only here on contract.
During that time, I just gave up, and went on with the way I was.
So here I was still with no pain medication and no real treatment
plan. There is no one to blame for this, it is the way I felt at
the time. By the fall of 2002, I realized that I had to get back
to seeking treatment, and saw my doctor who set up appointments
for treatments again.
In the spring of 2003, the specialist suggested that I had an
ulnar nerve entrapment and should consider surgery. I was hesitant
about returning to the operating table, ( and so was he), so he
wanted to try a few stellate ganglion blocks first to reduce pain.
At first, there was some relief and the block worked for about a
week..
After a few more trips back to have more blocks, the decision was
made to have the surgery. Now of course this just didn’t happen
over a couple of months, and during this time I was also working
so my treatments were scheduled around work. I was on the waiting
list for the surgery, in October 2004.
Before surgery, I had a block and the ulnar nerve release, (wrist.,
elbow) was a success. In my hand, some of the pain was gone, I had
more movement and also a little less clawing of the hand.
Afterwards, over time, I had about 8 blocks but they stopped working.
Then the pain clinic doctor suggested that I see a neurosurgeon
about a Dorsal Column Stimulator (DCS). I was put on the wait list
for surgery which would take until spring of 2005.
NOTE: Bryant tells how the DCS changed his life in part 2 next
issue.
©PARC PEARL June 2006 issue.
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Part Two: LIFE AFTER SCS(DCS)
INTRODUCTION
Before the DCS surgery, I had issues to deal with: depression, medications
and anger. During the past 3 years, I was battling depression. It
took time to realize that I was depressed and to really accept it.
There were also problems finding a medication that would work. I
tried 3 medications and finally found one which helped..
Just as important were the issues of anger. Before all of this happened
I was the happy go lucky type, but somewhere along the way I turned
into the angry "go fly off the handle type."
The meds did settle me down but I needed a higher dosage. I was
also going through counseling with a psychiatrist. Having someone
to talk to who was non-judgmental was very helpful. (Not that my
family or friends weren’t sympathetic, but after a while it
was hard on them too). I also had a reaction to meds. I was having
a bad day, and somehow lost control of myself.
This all took place about a week before my implant surgery. It was
my lowest point throughout this whole experience. I guess that is
what happens when one feels like there is no way out, even though
there is relief just around the corner. It shows you my state of
mind at the time.
During the second year of the RSD, while surfing the net, I found
RSD Canada (PARC) and the web site. I am grateful for all your help
and support.
SURGERY AT LAST
My surgery for the DCS was performed in May of 2006. The surgery
was done in two parts. The first part, the trial, and then the unit
is then implanted into your body. The surgery is done while you
are awake; a local anesthetic is used to freeze the area around
the surgery site. This is done so that when all the leads are in,
the unit can be turned on and then adjusted. A wire protruded from
your back for the trial period; it connects to the trial DCS unit.
The trial DCS is disconnected at bedtime and re-connected in the
morning. This trial period lasts 1 week and then the actual DCS
is implanted. The operation for the trial lasted about 2 hours.
I was released from the hospital the same day.
Once the wires were in place, the unit was turned on. I felt instant
relief immediately. There were a few minor adjustments, but it worked
successfully. There is no feeling like the one you get after battling
pain for 6 years then as fast as a button being pushed, the pain
is gone. The DCS worked so well that I only had it on for 5 to 6
hours one day, and the relief lasted well into the next day..
DCS IMPLANT
The actual DCS was implanted exactly one week later. This operation,
under local anesthetic, lasted about one hour.
The unit is then turned on, and checks are done again to ensure
it is working. There is an 8-week period after this surgery where
no twisting, bending, or movements can be done or leads will move.
I can feel the unit under my skin, and it took a little time to
adjust to it being there. To turn the machine on and off there is
a remote. The remote is held over the unit (touching the skin),
and can be either turned on or off, or the intensity can be raised
or lowered. No other adjustments can be done.
POST SURGERY
After the surgery, I was a different person. Gone was the grumpy
highly aggravated person, out went the pain meds and I slowly weaned
off the anti-depressants. I still have to be aware of the leads
inside and the unit. I use the unit now almost everyday as I’m
becoming more active. There still are days when pain can be an issue,
but the pain is much less than it used to be.
There are places to be aware of now. Any store with a theft detector,
all airport security, or any place with a large magnetic field around
it. These types of devices can cause problems. All of this information
is in the book that you are given before surgery and in the DCS
manual.
Since the surgery, I have had my post op check up, and so far all
is going well. I will return again in September. As far as recommending
this for someone else, all I can say is that it worked for me. My
problem now is in taking it easy, I feel so good that I believe
I can do things that I could do before, however, when reality sets
in the RSD lets me know that I overdid it. At least there is relief
now.
IN APPRECIATION
I would like to thank all who were involved with my DCS surgery;
I couldn’t have asked for better treatment. I would like to
thank Dr. Cowie at the St. Paul’s Pain Clinic in Saskatoon
for his great medical care and setting the surgery in motion.
It is so important to have someone to talk with. Without family
and friends, I wouldn’t have done as well as I did. Along
the way friends will be lost, (some people just can’t understand
what happens to a person with RSD, and they are not to be blamed
for their ignorance), friends will be made, maybe old ones found,
and life will go on. Even family will have trouble understanding,
but being family they will eventually understand in their own way
and, in their own time.
My final thank you is for my wife Donna. Without her support I know
I would have not made it through this whole journey. She has been
there since the beginning, has been my shoulder to cry on, my sense
of reason, and my strength throughout. It takes a special kind of
person to be there for you.
THANK YOU !!
Bryant Frazer
Editor’s Note: PARC thanks Bryant for sharing his DCS story
with us. We hope that people will benefit from his experience. ©2006
PARC.
THE
CAREGIVER'S ROLE
by Daphne Demarell
HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THE FRUSTRATION AND HELPLESSNESS
(OR OTHER EMOTIONS) THAT MANY CAREGIVERS FEEL?:
WOW! THAT IS A LOADED QUESTION!!!!!!!!!
How many times have we both felt helpless and frustrated..............I
sometime think it was a case of trial and error, what will work
for some will not work for others.
When you both get depressed because there doesn't seem to be an
answer, I think one of the things that I really concentrated on
was not getting depressed about it (especially at the same time).......this
was not going to beat us.....we were going to get answers to our
problems and understanding RSD/CRPS was the key.
One of the most frustrating things for us was the fact that Herman
was not diagnosed with RSD/CRPS until 2 years after his accident,
we found out that many things like cortisone injections, etc were
not the treatment that he should have had
We had our shouting matches, when Herman became depressed (as is
normal) because of the pain, frustration with doctors, medications
and probably even ME I became a good listener, you do not always
have the answers, but, just being there and listening was the key
to knowing exactly how he felt.
As time progressed and we understood why he was having more and
more symptoms that were natural with RSD..................I went
to his doctors' appointments with him and the RSD articles in hand,
sometimes it went over well, at other times I think some doctors
would have liked to have thrown me out, but, at least his regular
Dr. became sympathetic and understanding about it and did admit
that we knew more than he did, this was reassuring as it was only
him that could make sure that Herman did get the treatments and
medications that he needed.
There is no perfect answer, but, this is how I handled it and it
has worked for us!
©PARC PEARL 2006
MY RSD STORY
by Herman Demarell
In 1991 I had the index finger of my left hand crushed at work
on the Diamond Drills.
I was seen at a hospital in Quebec, where a bone specialist was
contacted to look at the X-rays. He said there was no immediate
problem, so I went home and was to see my own doctor in about 10
days. When my finger was x-rayed he noticed that the bone of my
middle finger was split, so I was referred to a bone specialist,
where I was told that he would have to remove the tip of the finger
so that the rest of it would heal. It was removed just below the
finger nail.
This operation was done in April of 1991 and immediately after
it I was experiencing excruciating pain. He could not understand
why I was having so much pain and administered Demerol and gave
me Tylenol 3 to help ease it.
This pain continued and I noticed that my shoulder was getting
stiff. Within a month my shoulder was frozen and he injected cortisone,
which did not help this condition. I was referred to physiotherapy
and had a TENS machine, which I used every day at home.
I found the nights the worse, I would be up most of the night walking
the floor and could only sleep for a period of a couple of hours
at a time.
After each physio treatment I was in agony for days and the pain
was unbearable. By this time I was also seeing my compensation doctor
and he stated that I should have had a nerve block, but, that it
was too late now and that I should
discontinue physio as it was not helping me to regain any use of
my hand and for me to continue trying to use it and doing exercises
as my hand was now frozen into a claw. I had little use of my hand
and the pain radiated from the middle finger up my arm and to my
shoulder. I was told that I had what was known as shoulder, arm,
hand syndrome.
Over the period of the next few years I was sent to a pain clinic
and other specialists, which all stated that it was too late for
a nerve block, but “hopefully the pain would go away.”
They now confirmed that I had RSD/CRPS which was irreversible.
My skin got very sensitive to the touch and I found that loud noises
could trigger my pain. I started wearing a glove on my left hand
at this time, as it seemed the movement of air would also start
my arm paining and this seemed to keep the air off of it. I still
wear this glove.
I was still on Tylenol 3, but, was also prescribed other drugs
which had no effect on the pain. I was a firm believer in trying
to keep busy to keep my mind off of the pain, but, it was getting
harder all the time.
In April of 1999 I started experiencing a jabbing pain in my left
rib and the pain would radiate around the waist and down my left
leg which made it difficult to walk any distance.
I also found that the pain would spread across my shoulders and
into my right arm, also causing headaches.
Cold sensations started in late July and I was in constant pain,
I found I had to wear a polar fleece jacket and wrap myself in blankets
to try to get warm.
I broke my rib in September of that year and was prescribed Oxycocet,
it seemed to help the pain some, but, I found that I was having
to take more and more all the time to relieve the pain. It was then
that I realized that I was addicted to them. I had to go through
a dependency withdrawal and it was not pleasant. I went back on
Tylenol 3, but, the pain was much worse now.
I was taking a drive one day to commit suicide, I did not know
where I was going, but, I couldn’t live like this anymore
in such pain. As it happened, my wife saw me driving from where
she worked and stopped me and told me that she had called our family
doctor to ask him if he would prescribe some Percocet for me, which
I am still on and seem to be able to keep taking about 5 to 6 a
day to control the worst of the pain. I guess I was not meant to
die at that time!
I went to London to a nerve specialist that stated he didn’t
know if operating on my finger to fix the neuroroma would relieve
my pain or make it worse, which if that happened I would have to
go on stronger medication.
I have been very lucky because I have a wife that stands by me
and listens to me WHINE!
We moved to British Columbia in August of 2001 and I have been
seeing a doctor here that has treated RSD/CRPS and has been monitoring
my situation. He prescribed Gabapentin. It did not work for me,
but, it has been tried very successfully on some other RSD/CRPS
patients.
SOME HELPFUL HINTS THAT WORK FOR ME:
* When I have spasms in my hand and arm the pain is unbearable and
I find that if my wife applies wet, hot towels with Epsom Salts,
I can get relief from it. I cannot even think to get them myself
because the pain is so intense.
* I have a “Blanket with a Brain” and cannot sleep
at night without it, as I get so cold.
* I wear micro tech fleece underwear that is so soft and warm it
also helps me to get through the night.
MEL MARTIN
CRSDNETWORK founder Mel Martin has passed away. Mel
started the first RSD/CRPS charity in Canada which was responsible
for an RSD Awareness Month in July each year. Mel was a tireless
worker for the cause of awareness of CRPS, for early diagnosis and
treatment. CRSDNET hosted several conferences in Vancouver on CRPS.
Adina Monson is building a Memorial for Mel Martin
and she is requesting photos, articles, and other memorabillia.
Please click to contact: Adina
Monson
OLYMPIC
TORCH BEARER: PAULA ORECKLIN
Paula is signing the Olympic flag before her 300m run.*
PAULA'S STORY
On January 9, at 8:37 AM, in Virden, Manitoba, against
a ferocious prairie windchill, Paula Orecklin carried the Olympic
Torch for 300 meters, as it crosses Canada to the Winter Olympics.
Paula carried the torch on behalf of the 2 million Canadians who,
as she does, live with RSD/CRPS.
Her goal was to carry the torch without the aid of a wheelchair
or canes.
Paula accomplished her goal.
The following bio was read out at the community celebration after
the torch passed through Virden. As the Olympic committee person
read this, the audience, a few hundred people who were packed
into the Legion Hall (there was standing room only) interrupted
the speaker to give Paula two rounds of applause:
"In 2001, an injured ankle led to Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy,
also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, an incurable chronic
pain disease. This is a life-changing debilitating medical condition.
Paula hurt her right ankle when she was 13, and in a Grade 8 running
event. When the injury healed, the pain continued to escalate.
It took 18 months of doctors' misdiagnosing and mistreating her
ankle before a physiotherapist at the Children's Hospital asked
us if anyone had mentioned "RSD" to us. If RSD is recognized
within 2 or 3 months of the initial injury, apparently it can
be successfully treated. As it was, like so many others, it was
too late for Paula, and now she must live with a chronic pain
condition. It turns out, we discovered, that chronic pain conditions
are not well-taught in medical schools -- veterinarians spend
more classroom hours than medical students do in learning about
chronic pain.
This problem is one of many chronic pain diseases that are not
very well known, but are widespread. RSD ranks at 42 on the 0-to-50
pain scale developed by the McGill University Medical School.
Cancer, by comparison, ranks at 28. Cancer, however, is widely
known and research to find cures is funded in the millions of
dollars. It is estimated that about 2 million**
people in Canada and about 6 million in the USA suffer from RSD,
and yet very few people are familiar with this condition. As more
children are injured in sports, this is also becoming a pediatric
problem.
Canada has P.A.R.C. - Promoting Awareness of RSD/CRPS in Canada.
In 2008, PARC sponsored Dr. Shulman's (a Toronto area pain specialist)
RIDE TO CONQUER CRPS, a cycling marathon from Toronto to St. John's
to promote public awareness of RSD.
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Paula running with the Olympic Torch.*
**PARC NOTE: There
are no epidemiological studies which can tell us how many people
in Canada are afflicted with CRPS. It is estimated that 1 in 60
carry a liftetime risk of developing CRPS.(Source: Northside General
Hospital Pain Clinic, N Sydney, NS)
*Congratulations
to Paula Orecklin for bringing awareness to Canada. You are the
power of one, Paula!
CARRIE-ANN RAWLINS
Carrie-Ann also carried the Olympic Torch in Ontario
and brought awareness about CRPS.
NOMINATIONS: WE KNOW YOU
ARE OUT THERE.....
If you know of anyone who is very special person with RSD, (or
a loved one), and deserves to be recognized for their talent or
work he/she does, please tell us about this unique person and
why he/she deserves recognition.
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