Medical Debt and CRPS Treatment Costs

Hi, my name is Amanda, and nine years ago I was in a severe accident. I was run over by an off road vehicle and the tire ran up my leg, effectively pinning me and crushing my leg. I ended up breaking my tibia and fibula, having a rod and screws put into my leg, breaking my nose, got a concussion, and subsequently developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in my leg. CRPS is 24/7 nerve pain that has no cure and few working remedies and is currently one of the worst pain conditions currently known--leading around 86% of those afflicted to suicide.

Turns out I have memory loss from the concussion and can't remember a lot of my childhood anymore, too.

Since then I have had over 7 surgeries and surgical procedures on my leg and for my nerve damage. I also ended up developing endometriosis that impacted my CRPS and thus had to have a hysterectomy last year at 22 years old. The pain kept putting me into shock and hospitalizing me, and during surgery internal bleeding was found.

I went from being told I would never walk again to finally being able to run and work out again! But in recent weeks my CRPS has spread from my right leg to my left leg... and left hand... and right hand. It's spreading and the pain is excruciating. I will need to see more doctors and I still have medical debt to pay off. I also go to the doctor regularly for PTSD from the accident, which only adds more bills to the already hefty stack.

I work hard and am working to get into graduate school in order to study chronic pain to help others, but right now, I need some help. I have needed help for years, but it's finally weighing too hard on my shoulders. I am thankful for any help and hope to be able to give back to my community one day through my work and outreach.

More about my story and future goals can be read here: https://medium.com/know-thyself-heal-thyself/to-be-a-fit-neuroscientist-2131df93069f?sk=ae9658b725b894b8c2567b88ba54b79e