Worcestershire | Archive | 2005 | July | 8
From the archive, first published Friday 8th Jul 2005.
A WOMAN who spent more than two years battling a rare illness is holding a fundraising event to raise awareness.
Kimbra Johnson, of Clevelode, was diagnosed with reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) in 2003, after suffering an elbow injury.
She found there was very little public awareness of the condition, a neuralgic syndrome often brought on by a trauma to the body and characterised by disabling pain.
Volunteers from the charity RSD UK were able to offer support and advice and, with their help, she got through the next two years.
Now in remission, Mrs Johnson, a professional gardener, plans to hold a plant sale at her home to raise funds for the charity. She will also be selling raffle tickets around Malvern.
The sale takes place at Cowslip Cottage, Clevelode, on Saturday, August 6, from 2pm to 5pm. It will feature gardening tips from Reg Moule, of BBC Hereford & Worcester.
"It would be nice to give something back to the support group. It's run by sufferers far worse than me and at the time they gave me so much support," said. Mrs Johnson. "Talking to someone who's worse than yourself makes you feel very humble."
It is estimated that there are about 11,500 people in the UK who suffer from RSD.
Most commonly affected are hands, feet, knees and elbows. The pain may start for no apparent reason or following an injury. Whereas pain would normally settle as an injury heals, in RSD it continues, may increase and can spread beyond the original site of injury.
However, it is a relatively rare condition in its chronic form and half of all people who develop it go on to make a full recovery.
For more information, visit http://www.rsd-crps.co.uk or call 0845 2266008.
Mrs Johnson is looking for donations of plants for the sale and is keen to hear from local RSD sufferers, who would like to talk to someone about the condition. Call 01684 310151.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008