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- Category:
- Common Interest - Beliefs & Causes
- Description:
- Katie is a 15 year old young lady who attends Jefferson Forest HS in Forest, VA and was recently diagnosed with RSD. RSD or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is a chronic, painful, and progressive neurological condition that affects the skin, muscles, joints, and bones. The syndrome usually develops in an injured limb, such as a broken leg, or following surgery. However, many cases of RSD involve only a minor injury, such as a sprain.
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Admins
- Lee
- Butch (creator)
Basic Info
- Name:
- We Love Katie
- Category:
- Common Interest - Beliefs & Causes
- Description:
- Katie is a 15 year old young lady who attends Jefferson Forest HS in Forest, VA and was recently diagnosed with RSD. RSD or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy is a chronic, painful, and progressive neurological condition that affects the skin, muscles, joints, and bones. The syndrome usually develops in an injured limb, such as a broken leg, or following surgery. However, many cases of RSD involve only a minor injury, such as a sprain.
- Privacy Type:
- Open: All content is public.
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- Location:
- Forest, VA
Recent News
- News:
- Katie's injury is the direct result of a broken ankle she suffered after tripping inside the gym in January 2008 on the campus of Virginia Tech. She has had 2 surgeries performed on her right ankle thus far. She has dealt with constant pain for the past 15 months and was unable to walk on it much of last year due to this pain. Katie has seen multiple specialists across the state of VA, has been in and out of emergency rooms, undergone intensive physical therapy, and has been injected with 4 spinal blocks via UVA pain management center none of which have given any her any relief. Katie spent her 15th birthday in the Lynchburg ER being informed that she no longer had a “mild” case of RSD but a “full blown” case that has resulted in her leg being numb and cold with multiple discolorations causing intense chronic pain. Katie has been unable to walk at all since this past January. She is struggling immensely each day with extreme ankle, leg and back pain. The emotional, mental and physical toll has all combined together to change Katie’s life. She has gone from being a vibrant young lady who was full of life, playing soccer passionately, a very promising career in cross country with the ultimate goal of becoming an Olympic Runner to a life of bed rest, homebound schooling, pain 24/7, an array of doctor’s appointments, frequent trips to various ER Departments and sleep deprivation as a result of the pain. Through this constant pain, Katie always manages to put a smile on her face and praise God through her circumstances. Katie tells her Mom often “I know God has a plan, but it doesn’t seem like it right now”. Katie has her good and bad days. Recently at her sister’s soccer match Katie said, “Mom, I don’t want to watch my sister play soccer”. Her Mom initially thought that she was making a selfish statement because she was unable to play. However, in true Katie style, before her Mom could address what Katie had just said, she followed up saying, “It is because I am afraid she is going to hurt herself. I just cannot see her going through this pain”. That is a perfect example of Katie’s character, always so concerned about those around her. Katie’s only wish is "to be able to walk in my own backyard again”.
Katie, her Mom & Dad fly out of Lynchburg to Boston on Monday, May 11, 2009. Katie is scheduled for an intake meeting Tuesday, May 12 at the Children’s Hospital Boston. This consists of her being interviewed and evaluated by a panel of three doctors. Each doctor has his/her own specialty as a pediatric RSD specialist, pediatric pain management doctor and a pediatric physical therapist. Upon completion of her evaluation, they will be told immediately if they will accept her into the out-patient RSD Pediatric Rehabilitation program located in Waltham, Massachusetts, an extension of Children’s Hospital Boston. The program ranges from three to six weeks in duration depending on the severity of the injury. If accepted into the program, she and her Mom will fly back up and make temporary living arrangements within the Boston Area for the duration of the program.
We ask you remember Katie and her family in your prayers daily. She is struggling in every aspect of life right now due to the quality of her life. These should be some of the best years of her life, yet she is facing this geriatric disease dominated by unexplainable pain. The family’s prayers are that if it is in God’s will and timing, she be accepted into this program so she may begin the long road to a full recovery or at least to a manageable pain. Through their faith, they know God will see them all through this ordeal. Katie and her family continue to trust the Lord to give them the grace to see them through each step of the way and will continue to give Him the praise and glory whether she is accepted into the program or not. We also ask for your prayers for her 12 year old sister, Lauren, as she adjusts to her family being away from her.