RSD Interview #30 - With Jess Louise Amy

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU GET RSD?

When I was twelve years old, three girls fell on my foot.

I was in a severe flare and I did not walk for a year. I was forced to do intense physical therapy, which made this illness worse. I have not had any treatments or proper medication to help control my pain. I’m fifteen now, so I have suffered for three years.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS IT AFFECTED YOUR LIFE?

I lost everything…my sports, happiness, hope, friends…and I was disappointed over and over. It has turned my life upside down and now I can’t be a normal kid and have fun. Instead I am left at home, watching everyone else do things I can‘t. At school, no one believed my pain (not even some teachers). I started to get severely bullied and stress affected my pain, so it spread. I have lost all friends. It has made me and everyone else hate me. I can’t go to school anymore, so I am more lonely. I do correspondence. I lost all my dreams and hopes, as well as the future I always dreamed of. It stops me sleeping and eating because the pain can be so awful. This illness has made me give up.

DO YOU HAVE A GOOD SUPPORT SYSTEM?

Nope.

DOES FAITH PLAY A PART IN YOUR STRUGGLE OR YOUR STAMINA?

No, not at all. I lost all faith a long time ago.

HOW HAVE YOU RE-INVENTED YOURSELF?

I haven’t at all. With no help, like medication or treatments, I haven’t found anything. I don't know how to.

HAS ANYTHING GOOD COME FROM THIS TRIAL?

No, not really. The only thing is meeting amazing people over Facebook. That means a lot to me.

WHAT THINGS DO YOU MISS THE MOST?

My happiness, having fun, playing sports (especially gymnastics). And I miss being a normal, happy, smiling kid that gave everything a go. I miss being able to go to school and I miss having friends.

WHAT DO YOU WANT THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO KNOW ABOUT YOU AND/OR YOUR DISEASE?

I want them to know that just cause I have this monster illness doesn’t mean I’m a different person. I’m still me, Jess, but just going though excruciating pain and horrible symptoms. I want them to know that this pain is real and that it is extremely hard to live with.