My New Year's Resolution...

Christmas 2011

Everything in life is a choice.

Are you going to choose to live miserable? 

Or

Are you going to live life with happiness and joy and show the world that despite your pain you live life and are a testament of endurance and strength?

My New Year’s Resolution...

Not giving up on HOPE. Having hope for me means taking a good look at where I am in my disease and knowing my limitations. Never giving up hope that one day there WILL be a cure for RSD!

Very few people are lucky enough to find a cure for their pain. For most with RSD, it is a lifelong experience from the onset of the illness. For me it has been two very long years since my RSD journey began.

Some people look at a disability in different ways. For some, their life is over. For others, they mentally wonder how they can live through this. I am focusing on living and finding ways to cope with my pain and get through each and every day without losing my smile!

Having chronic pain and coping with a disability hasn't been easy, I have given up so much. I have learned I now have limitations, and I have to live by. At the age of 34 (going on 35 in two days) this is tough to accept. I have however become more creative and learned how to do things differently in my day to day life to make things not only easier but more fulfilling.

I have to learn that I can't base my life on the things I can't do but what I can do.

I try very hard to look my best and enjoy life as best I can even though the pain is still there. Because of this, many people will confuse this with assuming I am feeling better and doing well. Instead, I hope they see my courage and perseverance!

I am still a person that cares. I have those that I love and that love me. I do have feelings. I do matter. I do have a husband that is my rock and for whom I am trying to live life to fullest with! In 2012 I vow to work hard on not focusing on what I have lost, but on all the wonderful things I have gained, and to NEVER give up hope!

Bring it on 2012!

I hope everyone has a very Happy and safe New Years!