Help Nicole Fight Her Disease
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Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a Central Nervous System Condition that usually effects the arms, legs, hands, or feet, after an injury. In my case, my CRPS started in my right foot after an injury I sustained when I was 10 years old.
CRPS drastically affects the central nervous system, causing nerve signal messages between the brain, spinal cord, and the body to function improperly. In simpler terms, my brain and body do not communicate correctly, causing me to endure a severe amount of pain throughout my entire body.
To elaborate further if I were to step on a thumb tack for example, my foot would send messages up through the spinal chord to the brain alerting the brain, which in turn would prompt me to jump off the thumb tack. The pain caused from stepping on the thumb tack would subside in a few minutes for healthy individual. Because of my CRPS, the pain never subsides because the pain messages in my body perpetually continue even though I am no longer standing on the thumbtack. So, this example is applicable for any and all injuries I endure, regardless of the scale of the injury.
I was diagnosed with CRPS in middle school and with hard work, had been in remission for the past eight years. I knew there was always a possibility that my disease would return, but with an exciting future ahead, I continued to look forward. I went on to graduate from college with a degree in Biology, though chose a different path to help children with special needs.
Less than a year ago - on my 24th birthday, I fell and broke my foot. I was on my way to see a new client, a beautiful, four year old boy with Autism. Working with children with Autism has been my passion for the past four years. My calling exists in helping these incredible children live their lives to the absolute fullest. I experience the most wonderful rewards with small breakthroughs when I reach these special children. It is hard work, but I am not unfamiliar with hard work. My experience with this disease has been one of extreme difficulty, especially as an adolesant and teen, but it has helped given me great strength to persevere. I knew when I broke my foot last year that there was a possibility that my disease would return. I was terrified and I prayed that it would not.
Two weeks after the break the symptoms began. I began physical therapy in an effort to keep active and get ahead of the pain , but I suffered a very bad fall shortly thereafter that caused the CRPS to spread throughout my body riddling me with pain. My situation and health deteriorated quickly. I had to give up my job, my apartment, my ability to walk, care for myself, my independence and so much more. Samm, my loving girlfriend and I dropped everything and moved into my parents house for support, where I began seeking immediate and intensive treatment. My treatment includes a multitude of medications, physical therapy, Intravenous Ketamine, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Botox, biofeedback, neurofeedback, and more. Each of these treatments can cost thousands of dollars and my insurance covers very little as many of these treatments are 'off label' for my condition.
CRPS causes additional symptoms, including poor circulation to your limbs, fire burning sensations, tingling and numbness, and ice cold feelings, as well. CRPS is often misdiagnosed and due to its rarity, poorly researched. Insurance companies also do not pay for many of CRPS treatments, because it is so poorly researched. CRPS is a Chronic Pain Condition and currently has no cure. I will have this disease for the rest of my life. Over time I've developed a secondary condition, called Dystonia. Dystonia is neurological movement disorder in which muscles spasm and contract, causing twisting abnormal postures and repetitive movements. They occur suddenly, as attacks that can last 20 minutes to an hour. During these violent attacks I have no control over the muscles in my body. Every time a spasam attack occurs I take many steps back in my treatment, as my body endures hellish conditions. CRPS is considered one of the most painful diseases on the McGill Pain Scale, rated higher the Childbirth and loosing a limb. So, I live every moment of every day in extreme pain and rarely get any relief. I am not able to sleep, but I am always tired.
Through all of this though, I try to stay positive, and smile every day. I am currently receiving Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) treatment. Every day. Magnetic pulses enter my brain for two hours during each treatment, in hopes of helping my brain recognize the correct nerve pathways. I spend my days in bed or in my fabulous specialized purple wheelchair.
Despite the severity of my condition, I hope for a bright and successful future, one that is filled with love, prosperity, and adventure. I am reaching out and asking each of you to help me. Help me achieve a healthy future. And though, it is difficult for me to ask for help, the various treatments are the only method of achieving a healthy future. The money will all be used only for my treatment, medical bills, or medical equipment needed to facilitate my care.
All of your help will mean the world to me. Any contribution will mean so much to me. Because I am not able to work, I have not been able to support myself, which is a new and extremely upsetting reality. My loved ones have been so incredibly supportive throughout this entire experience. But I know that I will need your help and support too. I have hope that I will walk again, dance again, put my toes in the sand again and with your help, I know I can achieve this. Help me live a life not crippled by CRPS, help me achieve my goal, help me walk again. I appreciate any and all donations.
My freinds are organizing a fundraiser in my honor. A Taking A Stance Against CRPS Walk-a-thon will be taking place Januray 31, 2016. Please check out the event below! I would love to have each and every one of you there! #NicoleFightsCRPS
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/taking-a-stance-against-crps-tickets-20774626467?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing
With love and many thanks,
Nicole (#NicoleFightsCRPS)
CRPS drastically affects the central nervous system, causing nerve signal messages between the brain, spinal cord, and the body to function improperly. In simpler terms, my brain and body do not communicate correctly, causing me to endure a severe amount of pain throughout my entire body.
To elaborate further if I were to step on a thumb tack for example, my foot would send messages up through the spinal chord to the brain alerting the brain, which in turn would prompt me to jump off the thumb tack. The pain caused from stepping on the thumb tack would subside in a few minutes for healthy individual. Because of my CRPS, the pain never subsides because the pain messages in my body perpetually continue even though I am no longer standing on the thumbtack. So, this example is applicable for any and all injuries I endure, regardless of the scale of the injury.
I was diagnosed with CRPS in middle school and with hard work, had been in remission for the past eight years. I knew there was always a possibility that my disease would return, but with an exciting future ahead, I continued to look forward. I went on to graduate from college with a degree in Biology, though chose a different path to help children with special needs.
Less than a year ago - on my 24th birthday, I fell and broke my foot. I was on my way to see a new client, a beautiful, four year old boy with Autism. Working with children with Autism has been my passion for the past four years. My calling exists in helping these incredible children live their lives to the absolute fullest. I experience the most wonderful rewards with small breakthroughs when I reach these special children. It is hard work, but I am not unfamiliar with hard work. My experience with this disease has been one of extreme difficulty, especially as an adolesant and teen, but it has helped given me great strength to persevere. I knew when I broke my foot last year that there was a possibility that my disease would return. I was terrified and I prayed that it would not.
Two weeks after the break the symptoms began. I began physical therapy in an effort to keep active and get ahead of the pain , but I suffered a very bad fall shortly thereafter that caused the CRPS to spread throughout my body riddling me with pain. My situation and health deteriorated quickly. I had to give up my job, my apartment, my ability to walk, care for myself, my independence and so much more. Samm, my loving girlfriend and I dropped everything and moved into my parents house for support, where I began seeking immediate and intensive treatment. My treatment includes a multitude of medications, physical therapy, Intravenous Ketamine, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Botox, biofeedback, neurofeedback, and more. Each of these treatments can cost thousands of dollars and my insurance covers very little as many of these treatments are 'off label' for my condition.
CRPS causes additional symptoms, including poor circulation to your limbs, fire burning sensations, tingling and numbness, and ice cold feelings, as well. CRPS is often misdiagnosed and due to its rarity, poorly researched. Insurance companies also do not pay for many of CRPS treatments, because it is so poorly researched. CRPS is a Chronic Pain Condition and currently has no cure. I will have this disease for the rest of my life. Over time I've developed a secondary condition, called Dystonia. Dystonia is neurological movement disorder in which muscles spasm and contract, causing twisting abnormal postures and repetitive movements. They occur suddenly, as attacks that can last 20 minutes to an hour. During these violent attacks I have no control over the muscles in my body. Every time a spasam attack occurs I take many steps back in my treatment, as my body endures hellish conditions. CRPS is considered one of the most painful diseases on the McGill Pain Scale, rated higher the Childbirth and loosing a limb. So, I live every moment of every day in extreme pain and rarely get any relief. I am not able to sleep, but I am always tired.
Through all of this though, I try to stay positive, and smile every day. I am currently receiving Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) treatment. Every day. Magnetic pulses enter my brain for two hours during each treatment, in hopes of helping my brain recognize the correct nerve pathways. I spend my days in bed or in my fabulous specialized purple wheelchair.
Despite the severity of my condition, I hope for a bright and successful future, one that is filled with love, prosperity, and adventure. I am reaching out and asking each of you to help me. Help me achieve a healthy future. And though, it is difficult for me to ask for help, the various treatments are the only method of achieving a healthy future. The money will all be used only for my treatment, medical bills, or medical equipment needed to facilitate my care.
All of your help will mean the world to me. Any contribution will mean so much to me. Because I am not able to work, I have not been able to support myself, which is a new and extremely upsetting reality. My loved ones have been so incredibly supportive throughout this entire experience. But I know that I will need your help and support too. I have hope that I will walk again, dance again, put my toes in the sand again and with your help, I know I can achieve this. Help me live a life not crippled by CRPS, help me achieve my goal, help me walk again. I appreciate any and all donations.
My freinds are organizing a fundraiser in my honor. A Taking A Stance Against CRPS Walk-a-thon will be taking place Januray 31, 2016. Please check out the event below! I would love to have each and every one of you there! #NicoleFightsCRPS
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/taking-a-stance-against-crps-tickets-20774626467?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing
With love and many thanks,
Nicole (#NicoleFightsCRPS)
Organizer
Nicole Rothschild
Organizer
Thousand Oaks, CA
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