Help Ashlee Beat RSD!

Ashlee Witt Roberts is organizing this fundraiser.

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Dear Friends & Family,

Life can take an unexpected turn that forces you to discover the depths of your strength. It wasn’t until my battle began with RSD/CRPS that I truly understood the power behind these words: “You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice”.

Please take a minute to watch this short video to learn more about what RSD "is".

Over 2 1/2 years ago I had a foot injury that resulted in a rare, non-curable neurological disease called RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) / CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Sydrome). I've managed to do a pretty good job at hiding the pain I experience, but the truth is I have been (and continue to) suffer severely... both physically and mentally with this disease that research says rates as the most painful form of chronic pain known to man - moreso than cancer, unmedicated childbirth, and amputation. I've had to rely on crutches and/or a wheelchair and have been confined to my bed for months at a time. This horrible disease can spread anywhere throughout the body, and unfortunately more than 50% of my body is now affected. This disease has no cure, but I know that with GOD all things are possible, and this is just another step in my journey.

I'm often asked, "how do you do it?" "how do you keep going on with a smile?" Well....my answer is this.... it's not "me", it's God! It is only because of my faith in God that I'm able to handle this monster!

Here's my story....
Once upon a time I was a "normal" girl raising a son with my husband, and working a full-time at a job I adored...all while taking pride in being a good friend, daughter, sister, wife, mother, employee, and an active citizen in whatever community I have lived in. I've always been known to "live life on the edge"....never passing up on the opportunity to take a last minute road trip, go out and listen to live music, or blow off the housework to enjoy a day outside playing with my son!

Unfortunately, that life ended for me in July of 2013 when one wrong step changed my life forever.

Showering is now one of the worst things I put myself through - it's like the torcher chamber! Many days it is difficult just to get out of bed. I fall often! My Left foot/leg is in a constant "flare up", but my entire body flares up EVERY night. I don’t sleep at night because of the pain, and once I do get to sleep, I do not go into a full REM sleep.Those with RSD do not get the sleep needed for their body to heal.

Additionally, I have a number of conditions and symptoms that often coexist with RSD, irregular heart rate, chest pain, dizziness, dystonia, orthostatic hypotension, bone fractures, heat/cold intolerance, debilitating headaches, and gastrointestinal issues. One of the worst side effects is tremors - sometimes I am in so much pain that my body begins to tremor to the point of almost convulsing.

There is no cure for RSD at this point in time, however there are options to potentially put the disease into remission...I have gone through almost all of the treatment options. Around the clock narcotics, 30 plus medications, more nerve blocks than I can count, countless hours of physical therapy(which actually made things worse), and I had a Spinal Cord Stimulator implanted in September of 2014. For the past year I've been participating in a nationwide clinical research study as well. While some of these treatments have been helpful for a short time, none of them have brought me enough relief to be able to be the mother that my son deserves - and THAT is my goal! Although I tell him often, he truly is my inspiration. He is the sunshine on even my darkest days. During the months I laid in bed, the best part of my day was hearing him run up the stairs after school and run straight to my room and look me in the eye with genuine concern saying, "mommy, how are you feeling today? How was your day? I'm just going to be right in the other room if you need anything." At only 7 years old, his faith in God and God's healing is something I can't put into words. Praise the Lord that he believes that "Mommy is going to get healed." Not only does Walker DESERVE to have a better quality of life, so does my husband. Since the beginning, he's had to fulfill so many different roles including being my main caretaker. Never did I think that less than 2 years after we said "I do" that he'd be proving that he meant it when he said "for better or for worse.....in sickness and in health...."

I've spent the past 2 1/2 years going through the stages of grief...grieving the loss of who I've been for over 30 years. Finally, I have accepted that being handicapped is a part of my new reality. This doesn't mean that I'm going to quit fighting though!

I recently had to make one of the hardest decisions in my life. I had to leave my son and husband behind so I could come to Florida and explore one of the last possible treatment options to put the RSD into remission. I'll be receiving Hyperbaric Oxygen treatments at National Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Center - Click here for more info in Tampa, Florida. We're not certain the exact number of treatments I'll require right now (probably around 40), but will have to come back several times for more treatments as time progresses. In addition to the cost of the treatments, I'll have lodging/dining/other medical related costs. So, as hard as it is for me to say....I NEED HELP!

I firmly believe that God will provide as He always has, and I refuse to give up and miss out on this awesome and potentially life changing treatment opportunity - for me AND my family.

So many of you, friends and family, have asked what you can do to help. With some encouragement and final push from my doctors, I have created this page with the goal of raising enough money to pay for these medical and travel expenses to get to Florida and "put out the fire" that resides in my body!

Embracing change has been and still is one of my biggest hurdles, and it has been VERY hard to accept and move on, but by the grace of my Lord and Savior, I'm able to keep "walking in faith". It's been more than 2 years since RSD joined my family, but we are not going to let it get the best of us!

If you are able to donate, no matter how small the amount, that would be truly wonderful and life changing for myself and family. If you would like to help, but are unable to donate, please share this page with your friends, family, and coworkers:anyone who may be willing to help. If you'd like to plan a fundraiser on your own, please contact me. Thank you in advance for your support.

I ask that each of you please keep me, Chris and Walker in your prayers!

Blessings,
Ashlee

p.s. Please keep checking back because I'll be posting updates every couple of days.

This is my first time really showing my foot to the public. But I feel that it’s necessary,to show others that its not an “Invisible disease” as it's often called, and the pain is unbearable.