Jo's Journey To Walking Again - CRPS Scrambler Therapy

**I'm heading to Rome in Feb 2025!**

Hey, my name is Jojo! I'm 40 years old, wife to Liam and Mum/Stepmum to 5 beautiful kids. I'm a business & life coach and I also cofounded Live Great Adventures, a mental health and suicide prevention organisation alongside my husband.

In September my life was flipped upside down when I badly sprained my ankle whilst on holiday in Cyprus. Unfortunately the injury triggered a very rare incurable disease called CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome), also known as "the suicide disease" because of the extreme and relentless pain it causes.

This rare, incurable disease is often called “the cancer of the nervous system” because of how aggressive and damaging it can be. It is said to be the most painful condition in the world - more painful than childbirth, kidney stones, or even having a finger amputated without anaesthetic.

It has since spread from my ankle to other limbs and is affecting all of my systems and organs and I'm facing the reality that there is a good chance that I may not walk again.

This fundraiser wasn't something I wanted to setup but I'm left with no choice - this condition is so rare that it affects just 0.00546% and there is very little NHS support available ‍♀️ it leaves me needing to travel abroad for treatment and pay privately, which is why I'm asking for support.

The Impact:

Currently I can’t walk, I can’t rest, and I can’t sleep - the pain is constant and unrelenting like nothing I've ever felt. I can’t do the things I love or live the life I once had.

I’ve lost my independence, my freedom, and the simple joys that made life feel full. It’s a devastating reality, and I’m desperate to do everything I can to fight for a chance to get even a piece of that back.

Right now, my body is in a state of constant panic. My sympathetic nervous system is constantly trying to heal massive trauma in my body due to a "glitch" in my nervous system - This has left me in horrific, unbearable, excruciating pain, 24/7 and with it "misfiring" and affecting my circulation, heart rate, blood pressure, breathing & all other systems.

There is lots of good information on the condition here:

https://www.burningnightscrps.org/crps/crps-information/what-is-crps/

Scrambler Therapy:

Early intervention and supporting my systems with the right treatment regime is absolutely crucial to give me the best chance of reduction in symptoms and hopefully walking again.

I've already been having a range of therapies and treatments alongside making some huge lifestyle changes.

My next step is to head to Italy for "Scrambler Therapy" in February 2025 which is a treatment that aims to retrain my nervous system over a 2 week period. It has remission rates of 80-90% in CRPS patients it seems to be the best chance of hopefully regaining my independence

The downside is that the initial treatment, travel, accommodation etc will cost a lot, but I'm really grateful for the donations here that have supported me and mean't I can have the treatment without financial pressure

While Live Great Adventures has been our heart and soul... passion, joy and fairy dust alone sadly won't pay those medical bills! ‍♀️✨️

I refuse to let CRPS define my story. Whatever it takes, whatever the path, this come back is f*cking personal

How Can You Help?

I'm absolutely open to ideas! I hate asking for help, but if I’ve ever done something to help you, been there for you, coached you, supported you, or even just made you smile and you can spare a few pounds, I’d be so grateful.

This is incurable and my treatments will be ongoing for life, I intend to keep raising awareness alongside trying to keep myself as healthy and comfortable as I possibly can.

If you’ve got any ideas for fundraising events or challenges, let me know, I’m open to anything that can help.

Thank you for reading, for your love, your support, and any help you can give during what has been the hardest time of my life.

Jo xx

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The Journey So Far.....