Hope for Kerri

Just over two years ago my beautiful, smart and talented friend Kerri was handed the awful news that she was one of the unlucky ones to be diagnosed with a horrible,debilitating disease called CRPS.Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy(RSD), is a long term condition that often worsens with time. It is characterized by severe pain and sensitivity, swelling, and changes in the skin. It may initially affect one limb and then spread throughout the body; 35% of people afflicted report symptoms throughout their whole body.The cause of CRPS is unknown though CRPS is associated with dysregulation of the central nervous system and autonomic nervous system resulting in multiple functional loss, impairment and disability. Precipitating factors include injury and surgery, although there are cases where no injury had occurred at the original site.[4] CRPS is not caused by psychological factors, yet the constant pain and reduced quality of life has been known to cause psychological problems (such as increased depression and anxiety). Although "research does not reveal support for specific personality or psychopathology predictors of the condition," CRPS is associated with psychosocial effects, including impaired social and occupational function.[5] It is classified as an amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome.Treatment is complicated, involving medications, physical and occupational therapy, psychological treatments, and neuromodulation and is often unsatisfactory, especially if delayed.[6]CRPS is widely considered to be the single worst source of pain—ranking higher on pain scales than childbirth, cancer and amputation. Kerri is a graduate from Pittsburgh university earning a degree as a dental hygienist. She loved her job and her clients and was loved by them also until the disease took away her ability to work anymore. She and her two children became 100 percent dependent on her husband. The pain got worse as promised, the depression of her independence lost set in and the struggle of getting through everyday began.CRPS also called the suicide disease because of the extreme pain and depression is her new life.6 weeks ago Kerri's husband left her and her two beautiful children leaving them with nothing. She was denied disability after giving them a binder full of paperwork from her doctors because the disease is so rare. She had to appeal it and will eventually get help but is not receiving anything at this time. Her father is doing EVERYTHING to help financially but can not afford himself to sustain both homes. The realization that she is probably looking at losing her home, her children's home, friends, schools, community, sports team friends,neighbors is becoming more and more real.She would never ask for help but I will. All that know her knows she has the biggest heart and helped anyone in need prior to her sickness and now single life.Iam hoping if we all can give what we can to help her and her children get through this difficult time we may just be the ones to keep them in the house they call home. PLEASE help me help Kerri and her children to put their fears away and find their BEAUTIFUL smiles again knowing they have all of us to help and that they are not alone fighting this fight. Thank you in advance and Good bless you all. Feel free to share this. The more help we can get the more mortgage payments we can make..