Last May, our friend, Ava Ciummo, woke up with some pain in her lower legs. At the time, her mom chalked it up to shin splints and didn’t think much about it. As days passed, the pain started to progress through her body until Ava reached a place where she was in high levels of pain through most of her body, all day, every day. Multiple tests were run but everything kept coming back negative. This was a positive thing, of course, but it didn’t answer the question about where her pain was coming from nor did it give Ava any relief. In fact, over the past 15 months Ava has become progressively worse living each day at a pain level (6-8 on a typical day)that would have most of us curl up in bed wanting to ignore the world.

In May, the diagnosis of Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome (AMPS) was confirmed at the Cleveland Clinic. This is a chronic pain syndrome with which Ava now lives.

Despite her pain, Ava has powered through, and all of the pain rehab professionals she has met have given her kudos for sticking to her daily schedule despite her pain. Ava did have to give up her passion of playing softball this Summer and that has been incredibly hard on her. Still, she supports her teammates and cheers them on even though she desperately wants to be on the field with them.

The great news is that there is hope! AMPS is manageable if one is given the correct tools. Ava has been accepted into a 17 day pediatric pain rehabilitation program at the Mayo Clinic. The goal of this program is Functional Rehabilitation that aims to help Ava learn how not to let the pain hold her back. The goal is NOT pain elimination as it will always be there. The program will focus on how Ava will use the tools provided to help her manage her pain on a daily basis.

Ava’s primary goal is to feel as close to normal as she can stating that she would “be happy living with pain in the 2-3 range” each day. And, of course, she wants to get back on the diamond with her teammates. Both goals are possible with this intensive program!

On October 16th Ava and her mom will embark on this journey towards wellness. We can help defray the cost of high insurance deductibles, travel, lodging and other things that may come up during her time spent at the Mayo Clinic. I know Ava and her family will greatly appreciate any support you can give them so they can put all their focus on getting her well! You’ve got this, Ava! We love you!