I was diagnosed with RSD when I was a freshman in high school. At first I thought I had a sprained ankle but days turned into weeks and then I finally went into my doctor. It took 3 months of MRI's, X-rays and other tests that I ended up at a neurologist. No one had a clue what was wrong with me and by that time I had been in a walking boot and my muscles were starting to atrophy. It was the neurologist tech that was about to administer an EMG test that figured out what was going on and helped the neurologist diagnose me. This disease has really affected me because at the time I was a track runner and a musician. With constant flair ups I had to give up running.

Now I am a junior in college who'se finally taking my life back. I now am running 5K's, 7K's and more as a way to prove mind over body. I am still struggling with flair ups with my instrument but have been finding ways to help reduce them when they happen. I own my disease and I show that I do not let it define me or what I can or can't do with my life.