Hi Terralyn,
Sorry you have some tough questions coming at you. I usually tell people that what I have is called reflex sympathetic dystrophy and that it is nerve damage in my body. The pain signal that comes from our brains just will not shut off in my body and continually sends out a pain signal that never stops 24/7 (then they will usually look at you like you have five heads lol). I ask them if they have ever hurt their funny bone in their elbow and if they ever experienced that burning pain when it happens? Most people can relate to that and then I say "Well, that is what rsd feels like." And let them know ours does not stop. Most people then reply they never heard about it before and I tell them neither did I but it has been documented since the Civil War days. You can also throw in there is no cure for this disease but you never give up hope that one day God will bless you and it will go away forever! Most people do not understand what chronic pain like we have is or what we go through each day in order to survive and try to put on a happy face around others.

Most times I get people asking me why I am using a wheelchair or what do I have that I need a cane for...I guess because on the outside (at least to them) I look ok but if they felt what we do inside they would be lying on the floor curled up like a baby hysterical crying lol!!!! I also do tell them that having this disease is not for wimpy people haha.

Other times when people ask me how I am feeling I ask them "Well, how long do you have?" or I say "Boy, that is a loaded question?" Usually that shuts them up as most people really don't care about what is going on with you. I do try to educate people so as next time they see someone disabled they won't say rude things to them AND they learn about rsd. Hope this helps you out. Just shrug it off and keep on moving in a positive direction;.)
Take care,
kathy d