OK, working on this article for a brochure *supposing* I could go to Arkansas. Do you think it should be shortened? How does it sound? How will people take it? Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

Here it is:
From an active teenager grooming several dogs a week in addition to writing, running, training her own dog, playing cello, tenor recorder & piano and doing many other activities... Vanessa's life is turned upside down, when a rare, chronic severe pain syndrome developed, called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. At age 17, she is nearly unable to walk, frequently bed bound as well as in severe chronic pain. But things may make a huge turn around with a newly developed treatment called Ketamine. Ketamine is an anesthetic, which has been being researched the past few years by neurologists and pain specialists who deal with RSD. It can actually improve the pain by 80% (in the norm) but has given 100% relief as well!

So what is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy(RSD)? RSD is a syndrome that develops after an injury. This injury can occur to any part of the body, including legs, arms, head, face, back, etc.... The body's normal response to any injury is for the nerves to signal pain. This response does a number of things. First a reflex occurs in the spinal cord, which signals if a leg or an arm is injured the limb is withdrawn from whatever is causing the injury such as a hot stove. Secondly, the blood vessels get very tight or constrict. This is a protective response. If the blood vessel is cut we do not want to bleed excessively, therefore, the nerves make the blood vessel go into spasm, reducing blood loss. The third phase is the emotional or cognitive response. This is where we become aware of what is causing the problem and take appropriate action to correct the situation. In patients with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, the body never gets quite back to normal. The nerves stay hyperactive causing increased pain and blood vessel spasm called vasoconstriction. The tightening of the blood vessels causes swelling of the affected area, discoloration, and abnormal temperature changes and increased pain. The pain from the reduced blood flow keeps the nerves excited, which then keeps the blood vessels tight.

From increased pain the patients are unable to sleep and it becomes a vicious cycle in which the pain wins and wins and wins. No sleep will make a person have less tolerance for pain. This quickly can lead to depression and a person who is unable to do anything but lie in bed and cry. Another symptom of reflex sympathetic dystrophy is allodynia (pain resulting from a stimulus that normally does not cause pain, such as the touch of clothing, the breeze or water from the shower)/ hyperalgesia (heightened sensitivity to a painful sensation)~ so it is in summary "the worst pain you can imagine". Pain from things that are normally not painful! On the McGill's pain scale, RSD is rated as *the worst form of chronic pain in the world today*.

There are telltale signs and symptoms of RSD- pain that is described as deep, crushing, aching, cold, burning, stabbing, etc; the presence of an initiating noxious event (sprain, fracture, etc), continuing chronic pain (moderate to severe), abnormal swelling, abnormal hair/ nail growth, abnormal skin color changes, abnormal skin temperature, abnormal sweating, limited range of movement, weakness, or other motor disorders, RSD is excluded by the existence of conditions that would otherwise account for the degree of pain and dysfunction.

At present Vanessa has tried numerous medicines and went to many doctors- from pain specialists to rheumatologists to neurologists. She also participated in an intense physical therapy program. She has tried majority of medicines out there, and only has approximately 15% relief at best.

The only thing that Vanessa views can "give her her life back, and is her only chance" is this treatment done by a doctor in Arkansas. This will require a week stay in a hospital, closely monitored by doctors and nurses while Ketamine drips into her body. It will require several flights there and back, staying in AR, when Vanessa lives in New Jersey! The only way it could work is by a fund raiser to raise money to give Vanessa the chance to go back to a normal lifestyle.

She now has full body RSD from a thumb injury-- the worst RSD can get to be! From RSD in her arm to full body threw Vanessa back greatly. She now can participate minimally in writing, photography, crafts and sculpting with clay- her greatest love.

Can you please help?! A donation through buying one of Vanessa's clay critters or another one of our items would be a huge blessing! Donations are so helpful, we appreciate everyone who will help Vanessa's dream of near recovery come true!
Thank you, and may God bless you!