CRPS is an incurable condition which often goes misdiagnosed or incorrectly treated. In April 2015, Trinity fell over at school & hurt her knee. Minor Injuries gave her crutches. But her leg turned blue, ice cold to the touch & the pain became worse. After weeks of hospital appointments, physiotherapists, paediatricians, X-rays & MRIs, Trinity was finally diagnosed with a rare condition called CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome). The central nervous system overreacts to an injury, continually sending intense pain signals to that area of the body. The skin's nerve endings become so hyper sensitive that even the slightest touch triggers debilitating pain. Unfortunately very few healthcare professionals, GPs or Specialists have heard of CRPS or know how to treat it. Trinity spent months suffering without the correct treatment, medication or help. She had regular relapses triggered by a simple bump to her leg causing hours of excruciating pain so high that it's compared to natural childbirth or amputation of a limb without anaesthetic. She's been on crutches & in a wheelchair. Finally, she went to a specialist clinic in Bath at the Royal National Hospital of Rheumatic Diseases, the only one of its kind in the UK. She attended an amazing but intensive 4 day rehabilitation programme with specialist Physiotherapists & Psychologists. She can now walk much of the time without crutches & has confidence to do simple things like a visit to the park despite her pain. Unfortunately when the 'pain spikes' still happen she can't walk without her crutches. The condition affects every aspect of life for Trinity including school, friendships & family life. Touched by her situation her neighbour Matt Green asked her father Gordon to get a team together with him to run the Shakespeare half marathon on 24th April 2016 to raise funds for the Burning Nights CRPS charity & the specialist unit at Bath hospital (funds will be split between the the two).
www.burningnightscrps.org.uk