Since I typically have my service dog with me if I go out in public you would assume that people would know that there was obviously a reason. Not so. The usual comment is "How long will you have the dog before you have to give her up?" Or, "What a wonderful thing you are doing training a dog to help someone." If I am not in the mood to give CRPS 101 I just smile or I reply that she is my service dog. Usually the blood drains out of the person's face in embarrassment. The next question is usually, "What type of service dog is she?" I reply that she is a" mobility service dog." Some people ask what is wrong with me. If that happens I always politely answer that I have CRPS, a neurological disease.

My friends know not to hug me or have children run up to me and bump me. They all know the specifics of CRPS and how it effects me. I have not had too many issues with acquaintances, friends and strangers. Most of my issues have been with doctors who are ignorant or threatened because I am more knowledgeable regarding treatments than many of them.

For the first two years I did not have time to even think about what people thought because my entire life was consumed with research since the treatments offered were not having much effect, or those treatments required extensive research just to protect myself from them.

I am so focused now on remission that what anyone thinks does not even reach the radar screen.

At one point I had a one page summary for those interested but now since all of my friends are aware I don't keep it handy.

As for the ignorance and comments from doctors, I have elevated dumping doctors to an art form.

Sometimes it is just better to move on.