In fact she set a new world record on her way to winning her second consecutive gold medal last month in the Para-Archery World Championships last month in the Czech Republic.

Danielle was a teenager when she was diagnosed with reflex sympathetic dystrophy RSD or as it is also know complex regional pain syndrome CRPS.  In Danielle’s case the RSD affects her legs and feet to the extent that she cannot remain standing for very long.

Prior to developing RSD Danielle was an active athlete in many sports.  She won her first Paralympics World Championship in Korea in 2007.  She went on to win the Gold Medal in the Bejing Paralympics.

In addition to being a World and Olympic Champion, Danielle Brown is a law student at the University of Leicester.  She has earned a number of sporting awards including  Sports England Awards senior athlete with disabilities and Disability Sport Events Yorkshire Regional Sports Person Award 2007.

Check out this BBC article about Danielle Brown’s win at the recent World Championships.

Keith and Betsy also moderate the RSD Hope Teen Yahoo Group.  It is a very active group of teenagers with RSD.  Everyone in the group is incredibly helpful and understanding.

Keith and Betsy have been through a lot wit their RSD, but with their determination and perseverance they have gone on to help so many people of all ages who have RSD.

If you are a teenager who has RSD or whose RSD is in remission or if you have a brother or sister or friend who has RSD and want to help them out by understanding what they are going through, please join this group and become active in it.

You don’t have to participate if you don’t want to.  Just by reading the post from other teens with RSD you will know that you are not alone.  And that is the most important thing to remember – You are not alone in your fight against RSD.

So please check out RSD Hope Teens and join the RSD Hope Teens Yahoo Group.  You will help yourself and others by sharing your own story about RSD.

Her story is typical of many who have developed CRPS.  She developed reflex sympathetic dystrophy over two years ago after injuring her ankle.  Her ankle injury actually healed but then the pain came back worse than ever.

Since then she has devoted herself to promoting the awareness of RSD through her awesome blog Rellacafa.  Caf is an excellent writer and artist and she tells much of her story with the use of video.

Caf’s positive outlook and her sense of humor gives hope to all those suffering from RSD / CRPS.

Caf thank you for being such an inspiration and for promoting the awareness of RSD!

By the way, you can follow Caf on Twitter too.

When she was 12 years old she was diagnoses with fibromyalgia by doctors at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.  When she was 15 she noticed that the pain was becoming more frequent.

Tonya who lives in Bermuda has been able to find relief from the pain by doing physical therapy in a swimming poo where she performs a variety of stretches and exercises.

Tonya’s hope is to overcome the pain so that she can continue her studies.  She is looking for an indoor pool in her areas to continue her physical therapy.

If there is one thing I have learned from this, it is to never give up hope.  I might not ever be completely rid of the pain, but hopefully I will be able to walk again.  Any minor injury for the rest of my life could cause another episode of RSD, but I am stronger now because of what I am going through.  I did not choose to be afflicted with RSD, but I have chosen to deal with it and make something of my life in spite of it.

Brandy N. Sachs
August 2008

Brandy Sachs is an amazing 22 year old.  In 2007 she graduated from Millersville University of Pennsylvania with a double major in English and Philosophy and a minor in Criminology.  She’s also started graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh working toward a Masters degree in Social Work.

Amazing enough, but Brandy has accomplished all this since being diagnosed with RSD / CRPS since she was 13.

But there’s wonderful news about Brandy today.  To find out more go read all about Brandy at her website Hope For Brandy.

Then read about Brandy’s Ketamine treatment for RSD in Germany written by her awesome parents Lisa and Gordy.

Thank you Brandy Sachs for being such an inspiration to all those who are battling RSD!

After recently undergoing knee surgery, he began to develop classic symptoms of RSD.  Fortunately for Mike, his doctors are knowledgeable about RSD / CRPS and have already begun treating him.

As most of you know, it is extremely important to begin treatments for RSD immediately especially the desensitization treatments.  When the diagnosis of RSD is made right away the outlook is good for a complete recovery.

Please visit Mike at Mike n’ Mad’s Adventures and leave him a note of encouragement for his battle with RSD.

One of these is RSD and You.

RSD and You is an online support group that was started to help people with RSD/CRPS find hope, courage and strength through interaction with other members, positive communication, creating a solid support system and friendships that will motivate you and challenge you to truly live positively with RSD.

In Keith’s personal blog, ‘Pain is A Four Letter Word‘, Keith continues to recount his experience with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Keith notes that CRPS patients have been seeing success with these treatments.

Best wishes to you Keith!

alternative ways of coping

ARTICLES or QUESTIONS DEALING WITH RSD/CRPS : alternative ways of coping. Stats : 5 Replies.

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