Thank you for visiting my fundraising page!

 

My name is Niki and I was diagnosed with RSD nearly 3 years ago after a simple heart surgery. The diagnosis of RSD meant that I wouldn't regain dexterity in my right side, including my dominate hand. That meant being a graphic designer and artist had to come to an end. However; the day I was diagnosed it felt like permission to finally move forward, to get on with my life. It was also the same day I decided to go back to college.

I knew returning to college being unable to write or type extensively would be a challenge. I honestly didn't know what to expect, I just knew this was my way of moving on and coping with my diagnosis. I attended my community college that next fall, full time. Now two years later and 47 credits closer, I have been able to maintain a 4.0 throughout my college career!!! I am also doing things I never thought would be possible due to my condition such as play a piano or write music (all adaptively of course.) There are many things I cannot do, though.

My daughter cannot hug me on my right side, or hold my right hand. In order to enjoy our family vacation to Disney World I had to flood my body with a constant stream of narcotics. My family must always think "can we do this with Niki, in her condition," Having an "invisible" disorder is tough and only the closest people to me really know just how tough it is to live with RSD. But I have hope that one day research will be able to relieve chronic pain for all, not just RSD patients. You can help in this by donating to this worthy cause. RSD is debilitating for many and funding is desperately needed.

 
Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!