RSD Interview #6 - With Joseph Aquilino

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU GET RSD?
From a work related incident on October 21, 2008.  A 200 pound cart was rolled over my left foot and left ankle. The RSD has now spread to my right calf.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS IT AFFECTED YOUR LIFE?
I was unable to go to my community board meetings, and go out and enjoy myself.  Honestly, its tough, with this pain, to enjoy yourself... but I found myself and made life more positive by finding something I really love to do; Internet Entrepreneurialism, marketing and promotions, web design, logo creation, etc.
I am unable to attend non-profit meetings, like I used to.  So now I do a lot of the work for the non-profits from my home (via social media, web pages and networks).

DO YOU HAVE A GOOD SUPPORT SYSTEM?.
I have a good support system, somewhat.  In the beginning not so much, but now they are understanding the disease a little more, as I pound into their heads the information.

DOES FAITH PLAY A PART IN YOUR STRUGGLE OR YOUR STAMINA?
Faith, Hope and Love.... also Positivism and Optimism .

HOW HAVE YOU RE-INVENTED YOURSELF?
Through Internet entrepreneurialism, I started my own internet radio show on blogtalkradio, which has about 73,000 listeners.  I created various networks and web pages to help other people with the disease.  I had to re-invent myself so I would not be depressed and anxiety filled everyday.

HAS ANYTHING GOOD COME FROM THIS TRIAL?
Oh, yes…helping other people manage their pain and smile again.

WHAT THINGS DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
Working with the non-profits, hands on.  I don't miss Corporate America, for sure.

WHAT DO YOU WANT THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO KNOW ABOUT YOU AND/OR YOUR DISEASE?
That I do everything I do to keep myself sane, and to help people around the world manage their pain and symptoms.  I try to infuse my positivism to them, so they could live a happy life themselves, with pain and limitations. To see a hurting person smile is my objective.  A smile to me is better than money or any material thing.  God Bless my brothers and sisters in pain.