I think you're getting top-notch information from these responses. Being newly diagnosed I don't have as much experience with the CRPS as most of the people on here but I have a lot of experience with teenagers having raised many as a mom, step-mom and foster mom.

1. Finz gave brilliant ideas for addressing some very relevant girl issues. In addition to everything relating to pain, she's also dealing with all the psychological growing pains and problems of any healthy girl that age. Is there anyone alive that can say being 15 years old was the best year of their life?

2. Like the others I think talking as freely about her px as she wishes is very important to her mental health. Whenever we wish to set something aside or prevail (even for a minute) over our circumstances, it's essential that we learn how to honestly assess ourselves. By talking to her you can help her learn those skills. There's an old saying you might have heard, "You can't set something down if you don't pick it up first." Also, we know that our emotional state has a direct bearing on our px level and/or vice versa. Who is on a wilder ride than a 12-18 year old girl? How does one unscramble those eggs? That self awareness is likely to be her biggest avenue of study for a while.

3. While reading other fab school ideas given here I remembered a girl I went to high school with nearly 40 years ago. She got ill and behind but she was very bright. She took her GED and then went on to college. It got me thinking of another possible option being to pass her GED and then she could take 1 or 2 online college courses that she could work on her schedule. I don't know about where you live but many community colleges pay students through work/study to tutor other students.

4. It might not be just the classes or px or appearance that's wearing her down. Just the fear of being bumped in school must make it a major stressor. Like driving day in an out on an icy road with bald tires. Exhausting.

5. My advice about school, worthy or not, is to assemble some options for her and watch her eyes when you present them. She might have difficulty sorting that out mentally but her eyes will light up when her soul says yes. I would strongly recommend that some method of intellectual or creative structure be part of the program. If she takes a year off school, would she be interested in music lessons or painting or a science club?

6. If you belong to a church or synagogue or something of that nature, there may be youth groups that would bend over backwards to accommodate her in order for her to participate in fun activities with others her own age. The YWCA might be another place to look.

7. I think inviting her to join us here is a super idea! She'd have a level of support and flexibility that can't be found elsewhere.

8. About Mayo, I'm from Minnesota and we're very proud of Mayo. I have to say I wasn't impressed with their web information for CRPS but that might not be a reflection of their expertise. Sorry I can't help with that. Please report back here if you do take her to Mayo and let us know what your family's experience was.

Holy cow! Did I just type all that? Sorry about that. I guess your love for your daughter is bringing out the love in all of us. Last week I couldn't type with both hands because I'm starting to lose the use of 2 fingers. I didn't have any trouble with them while typing this response. Love for another heals. Even if it doesn't heal the physical condition, it heals something well worth healing.

My warmest and sincerest regards to your whole family,
Andrea

I wanted to share this article with you and your daughter with the hope that being able to relate to people more her age who have struggled also with CRPS, gives her hope& determination to fight back with all she's got .

Here is the link: http://www.training-conditioning.com...pain/index.php

She is lucky to have you!!