
Becca's Best Chance
Donation protected
Many of you may already know that our daughter, Becca, has suffered from a chronic pain condition for the past six years. In February of 2014, when Becca was 13 years old, she developed unexplained swelling and bruising in her right wrist. First thought to be a sprain, a doctor casted her for a scaphoid break which can be difficult to spot in an x-ray. The cast was only on for one week, but during that week, Becca complained of burning, zapping, pain that was travelling up and down her right arm. When the cast was removed, her hand was cupped, she had lost function of the right wrist and hand and was in excruciating pain. In October of 2014 she was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
Textbook definitions typically describe CRPS as:
- The most painful of all pain conditions (rated highest on McGill Pain Scale);
- Typically affecting one limb but can spread;
- Is caused by a dysfunction of the central and/or peripheral nervous system;
- Continuous intense pain that gets worse, rather than better, over time.

For Becca, CRPS began in one limb with pain that was disproportionate to the injury. The function lost in her right arm would take years to recover through physiotherapy and heavy medications to try to control the pain. Hypersensitivity in her nerve endings caused unbearable pain from an unexpected light breeze or her clothing and bedding touching her skin. Her energy levels depleted as she began to suffer from chronic fatigue and socially, she struggled to maintain relationships with those who didn't believe her or thought she was over-exaggerating her pain as it can be difficult to understand.
Little did we know at the time that this was only the beginning of a journey that would bring us to seek multiple medical practitioners, alternative medicines, years of physiotherapy, and tens of thousands in medical expenses. Definitions of CRPS allude to only affecting one limb, but when it goes on for many years, CRPS can spread throughout the body and affect other limbs and internal organs. Today, Becca has CRPS throughout her body which is worse in her right arm and her right leg. It has affected her vision, joint mobility, muscles, heart and lungs, immune system, and learning and memory functions.
All of this impacts her quality of life immensely. Because she cannot control or predict her pain levels day to day, she cannot commit to being well enough to perform duties for work or school on a specified schedule. So at 19 years old, she is unable to go to school or hold down even a part time job. Sometimes she is feeling great but other times the pain is so bad she can't get out of bed for days at a time. The long term effects of being in constant pain and on high amounts of prescription drugs have taken a toll on her body and her ability to think clearly. Simple tasks that many of us take for granted can be a challenge. CRPS can be incredibly isolating, hopeless and frightening.
We have seen hopeful signs that this can change for Becca. Some of the medications and treatments we have tried in the past have helped even if for a limited amount of time. One medication that she tried helped her to regain function in her hand and another controlled pain for 4 months. Many other alternative therapies have brought some temporary relief. These small victories keep us searching for a treatment that will work and we know that new treatments may be developed.
Early this year, Becca discovered a treatment program at the Spero Clinic in Fayetteville, Arkansas (https://thesperoclinic.com/ ). After much research and speaking with other who have participated in this program, we feel it is Becca's best chance at remission and giving her back a "normal" life. The program is intensive. Over twelve weeks (or more) she will have multiple therapies which are designed to reset the central nervous system to reduce her pain and improve her movement. She will be treated by a team of chiropractors, physiotherapists, counsellors, and more that will develop a customized program aimed at healing rather than trying to mask the pain. The video below shares the experience of two CRPS patients and how they have found hope from the Spero Clinic.
Why wouldn't we try to get these therapies here? Most don't exist or are difficult to access in our area so we would still be travelling to find these services. Also, we wouldn't have a specialist here to direct what services are needed, when, and in what amount. We have a fantastic medical community here and have been fortunate to have them, however, they treat the general public and don't have cases like Becca's that often. Many practitioners will refer her to other specialists because they don't have the expertise that is needed to treat her. When new symptoms appear, they seem to be dismissed as being part of the umbrella of conditions that accompany centralized nervous system dysfunction. Because the resources here are limited for her condition, pain management (mainly drugs) is the primary treatment option.
The Spero Clinic only treats patients with chronic pain conditions, many much worse than Becca. They have the experience of treating so many that they can begin to see the patterns in what works and what doesn't. We already have received some insight into symptoms Becca had that were never explained from this clinic and can connect the dots to some possible areas to investigate. They have the best success rate we have ever seen - 84% of their patients are in remission long term following the treatment.
We will need to cover the costs of the treatment and the travel and accommodations expenses. When we began looking at this program in January, the world was vastly different. Since then we have lost one of our incomes due to the effects of COVID-19 and need to ask for help to raise the funds needed. The provincial government will only fund out of country medical expenses that are deemed medically necessary so this does not qualify. The bright side is that with the loss of income we have gained the time to spend in Arkansas so that Becca can get better.
Our goal is to have Becca return from Arkansas, pain free and able to work and study and begin to live her best life!
Costs:
Estimated cost of 12 weeks of treatments $36,000 USD ($50,000 CDN)
Accommodations 12 weeks 7,000 (CDN)
Travel 3,000 (CDN)
Total $60,000 (CDN)
We hope to raise as much as possible to travel to Arkansas to begin treatment on August 18th (pending border openings and risks of contagion being reduced).
Every donation counts in helping us reach our goal. For every $85 we raise, it will help fund one night of our accommodations. For every $125 we raise, it will pay for one hour of therapy at the clinic, and for every $1,000 we can raise, it will pay for a day's worth of treatments at the clinic.
Thank you in advance for playing an instrumental part in Becca's future. Whether you are able to donate, share this page, or support in another way, we are forever grateful.
Textbook definitions typically describe CRPS as:
- The most painful of all pain conditions (rated highest on McGill Pain Scale);
- Typically affecting one limb but can spread;
- Is caused by a dysfunction of the central and/or peripheral nervous system;
- Continuous intense pain that gets worse, rather than better, over time.

For Becca, CRPS began in one limb with pain that was disproportionate to the injury. The function lost in her right arm would take years to recover through physiotherapy and heavy medications to try to control the pain. Hypersensitivity in her nerve endings caused unbearable pain from an unexpected light breeze or her clothing and bedding touching her skin. Her energy levels depleted as she began to suffer from chronic fatigue and socially, she struggled to maintain relationships with those who didn't believe her or thought she was over-exaggerating her pain as it can be difficult to understand.
Little did we know at the time that this was only the beginning of a journey that would bring us to seek multiple medical practitioners, alternative medicines, years of physiotherapy, and tens of thousands in medical expenses. Definitions of CRPS allude to only affecting one limb, but when it goes on for many years, CRPS can spread throughout the body and affect other limbs and internal organs. Today, Becca has CRPS throughout her body which is worse in her right arm and her right leg. It has affected her vision, joint mobility, muscles, heart and lungs, immune system, and learning and memory functions.

All of this impacts her quality of life immensely. Because she cannot control or predict her pain levels day to day, she cannot commit to being well enough to perform duties for work or school on a specified schedule. So at 19 years old, she is unable to go to school or hold down even a part time job. Sometimes she is feeling great but other times the pain is so bad she can't get out of bed for days at a time. The long term effects of being in constant pain and on high amounts of prescription drugs have taken a toll on her body and her ability to think clearly. Simple tasks that many of us take for granted can be a challenge. CRPS can be incredibly isolating, hopeless and frightening.
We have seen hopeful signs that this can change for Becca. Some of the medications and treatments we have tried in the past have helped even if for a limited amount of time. One medication that she tried helped her to regain function in her hand and another controlled pain for 4 months. Many other alternative therapies have brought some temporary relief. These small victories keep us searching for a treatment that will work and we know that new treatments may be developed.
Early this year, Becca discovered a treatment program at the Spero Clinic in Fayetteville, Arkansas (https://thesperoclinic.com/ ). After much research and speaking with other who have participated in this program, we feel it is Becca's best chance at remission and giving her back a "normal" life. The program is intensive. Over twelve weeks (or more) she will have multiple therapies which are designed to reset the central nervous system to reduce her pain and improve her movement. She will be treated by a team of chiropractors, physiotherapists, counsellors, and more that will develop a customized program aimed at healing rather than trying to mask the pain. The video below shares the experience of two CRPS patients and how they have found hope from the Spero Clinic.
Why wouldn't we try to get these therapies here? Most don't exist or are difficult to access in our area so we would still be travelling to find these services. Also, we wouldn't have a specialist here to direct what services are needed, when, and in what amount. We have a fantastic medical community here and have been fortunate to have them, however, they treat the general public and don't have cases like Becca's that often. Many practitioners will refer her to other specialists because they don't have the expertise that is needed to treat her. When new symptoms appear, they seem to be dismissed as being part of the umbrella of conditions that accompany centralized nervous system dysfunction. Because the resources here are limited for her condition, pain management (mainly drugs) is the primary treatment option.
The Spero Clinic only treats patients with chronic pain conditions, many much worse than Becca. They have the experience of treating so many that they can begin to see the patterns in what works and what doesn't. We already have received some insight into symptoms Becca had that were never explained from this clinic and can connect the dots to some possible areas to investigate. They have the best success rate we have ever seen - 84% of their patients are in remission long term following the treatment.
We will need to cover the costs of the treatment and the travel and accommodations expenses. When we began looking at this program in January, the world was vastly different. Since then we have lost one of our incomes due to the effects of COVID-19 and need to ask for help to raise the funds needed. The provincial government will only fund out of country medical expenses that are deemed medically necessary so this does not qualify. The bright side is that with the loss of income we have gained the time to spend in Arkansas so that Becca can get better.
Our goal is to have Becca return from Arkansas, pain free and able to work and study and begin to live her best life!
Costs:
Estimated cost of 12 weeks of treatments $36,000 USD ($50,000 CDN)
Accommodations 12 weeks 7,000 (CDN)
Travel 3,000 (CDN)
Total $60,000 (CDN)
We hope to raise as much as possible to travel to Arkansas to begin treatment on August 18th (pending border openings and risks of contagion being reduced).
Every donation counts in helping us reach our goal. For every $85 we raise, it will help fund one night of our accommodations. For every $125 we raise, it will pay for one hour of therapy at the clinic, and for every $1,000 we can raise, it will pay for a day's worth of treatments at the clinic.
Thank you in advance for playing an instrumental part in Becca's future. Whether you are able to donate, share this page, or support in another way, we are forever grateful.
Organizer
Misty MacDonald
Organizer