-
#PAINFREEBRIA
ABOUT BRIA
Bria’s childhood is a bittersweet blur of finding our beautiful daughter curled up on the couch in unending pain instead of outside chasing butterflies with her brother and sister. Our days consisted of frequent trips to the hospital, endless pediatrician visits, and even moving down to Seattle Children’s Hospital for extended treatments. Blood test after blood test, MRI scans and specialist referrals led us to a CRPS diagnosis when Bria was 11. Many birthday parties, church and school functions, holiday celebrations, and playdates were not a part of Bria’s life. Bria has now had this debilitating illness for 18 years. The challenges that Bria has faced due to CRPS are innumerable. From a very young age, her life has been controlled by pain. Dreams, goals and simply “life” have had to be placed on the back burner as she has tried to survive. She has battled depression since her childhood and suffers insomnia every night. Life can get very very dark, but Bria keeps holding on to hope. Her life has continually become more physically limited as her CRPS has gotten more severe.
Bria’s CRPS started in her leg, but now, due to other injuries, it resides in her upper abdomen, both sides of her head, upper neck, and forehead. All of the locations of Bria’s CRPS are debilitating, but the pain in her abdomen is especially excruciating. Since all movement originates from her core, Bria can’t move any part of her body without it amplifying her pain. Even breathing and talking is agonizing. Small movements like painting and even brushing her teeth have to be done slowly and methodically as small tasks are very painful. On a scale of 1-10, her pain levels never dip below a six and her daily pain stays at a 7-9 level. When Bria’s pain reaches 8+ she is completely incapacitated. She is not able to move or talk, and is completely frozen in pain.
OTHER DIAGNOSIS'S
Bria was diagnosed with debilitating Complex-PTSD in 2012 in addition to CRPS. The overall stress to her adrenals caused by CPTSD brings many complications. Additionally, Bria was recently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia which also causes pain and severe fatigue in all her limbs. Bria’s legs randomly give out, causing her to fall. The combination of the three diagnoses intensifies all her symptoms.
Bria has been prescribed a wheelchair for longer outings, and now, at 29, requires the day to day use of a cane. Her whole world is designed around keeping her pain from flaring. There are no words deep enough to explain our family’s heartache. We thank you for reading Bria’s story. We just want Bria’s dreams and health to be intact.
CRPS occurs after injury and is caused by a dysfunction of the central and/or peripheral nervous system, severely amplifying pain in the affected area(s). CRPS, nicknamed the “suicide disease,” has a rating of 46 out of 50 on the McGill pain scale (rating higher than amputation and cancer). Unlike most illnesses, this pain is constant, 24/7, making it one of the most severe diseases to date. CRPS usually starts in one of the four limbs but can spread to any part of the body, including internal organs. There is no known cure for CRPS. Bria has not found any medication that brings any level of relief to the excruciating pain. Click here to watch a short video about CRPS
The Spero Clinic is a medical treatment center in Arkansas that uses a unique holistic approach to treat CRPS and Fibromyalgia. The clinic will also have one doctor that addresses her Complex- PTSD explicitly. Over 12 weeks a specialized team dedicated to Bria’s unique case will guide her through multiple therapies designed to reset the central nervous system. This will reduce her pain, while improving her physical mobility and stamina. It is the only clinic offering these specific treatment methods worldwide. Many CRPS patients are reporting remarkable improvement through these treatments. Click here to watch a short video about the Spero Clinic.
"Hope still wins, but it often has a tear-stained face. It has a vulnerable heart. It has bloodied fists, because it keeps fighting."
- JO SAXTON
LET'S GET BRIA TO THE SPERO CLINIC!
First and foremost we ask for your prayers and also ask you to consider sharing financially in this need.The Spero Clinic program is NOT covered by insurance and there are no payment plan options. Bria's husband, David, being Bria’s primary caretaker and soul financial provider for the family, will need to take off work for three months. They will move to Arkansas as Bria will have 6-8 appointments a day. The money we are fundraising will go to the Spero Treatment Plan, airline tickets, lodging and a form of transportation from their lodging to the clinic each day
HOW TO DONATE
For online donations we have set up a Go Fund Me page! Link: https://gf.me/u/yvx27j
Donation checks may be mailed to
The Bria Block Donation Fund,
C/O Whatcom Education Credit Union,
P.O. Box 9750
Bellingham, WA
98227
