Most people who ask about what I am dealing with have never heard of CRPS; but once in awhile I meet someone who has the same problem but has had no one to talk to about it who understands what they are going through. Recently I met a women in the grocery store that has had CRPS/RSD for fifteen years and has never run into anyone else who suffers with this. We talked for sometime and shared stories and exchanged information. She was so pleased to have someone to share the struggle with. I will keep in touch with her.

Also I have found that many in the medical field don't really know what this affliction really is. When I told a medical professional I couldn't do a specific procedure, she took the time to understand what I go through and interested enough that she researched CRPS/RSD and called me within an hour to say you're right and we came up with another way to do the procedure. In both cases I learned something and think that they did too.

I think that it is valuable to talk to others, listen well and share information. You never know you might learn a trick that will get you out of a depressed state or how to deal with a small problem such as travel or even day to day living. Everyone has to learn what works for them but most important is to never give up as there is always hope. We just have to keep looking, trying and learning.