Allsup Awards Disability Literacy Grant to Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association
Belleville, IL (PRWEB) January 07, 2016 -- Allsup, a nationwide Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) representation company, today awarded the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association (RSDSA) a $2,500 grant for being the top Allsup Post for a PurposeSM blogger in 2015.
The Allsup Post for a Purpose initiative raises awareness of issues faced by individuals with chronic illness and disabilities, provides a platform for sharing ideas, and encourages support for nonprofit organizations and their missions. These activities increase disability literacy and help people understand and use health and financial information.
Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), is classified as a rare disorder by the United States Food and Drug Administration. However, according to the RSDSA, up to 200,000 individuals experience this condition in the United States any given year.
CRPS occurs when the nervous system and the immune system malfunction when they respond to tissue damage from trauma. The nerves misfire, sending constant pain signals to the brain. The level of pain is measured as one of the most severe on the McGill University Pain Scale.
RSDSA’s guest blog, “What We Do for Those in Pain” garnered the most shares from Allsup’s Facebook page in 2015. It reflected the need and widespread support for the RSDSA’s programs, which include:
- A continuing medical education (CME)-accredited educational program for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, and other clinicians on the diagnosis, treatment and management of CRPS. According to the RSDSA, most individuals with CRPS will see five doctors before being properly diagnosed.
- The publication, Tips for Managing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.
- Sponsorship of the first pediatric pain camp at the Center for Courageous Kids.
“The CRPS/RSD community is a united front,” said Samantha Barrett, RSDSA special events coordinator. “They are incredibly supportive of our efforts to raise awareness for CRPS/RSD. They support one another through and through.
“Whether they are sharing someone’s story or spreading the word about the different opportunities that come up, the community is constantly encouraging each other to make a difference. We were able to see an example of this with Post for a Purpose.”
Many of the Facebook shares were accompanied by comments that detailed the challenges of living with chronic pain caused by a rare disorder, and the positive impact RSDSA has had on their lives.
“I suffer from RSD/CRPS for about 10 yrs [sic] now,” read one post. “There are no doctors who knows [sic] much about RSD where I live… I am just given pain meds and muscle relaxant. Every time [I] mention symptoms it is always old age or arthritis or menopause. It made me feel non-existent at times. As I learned more about RSD/CRPS thru RSDHope and RSDSA I began feeling OK.”
Individuals with RSD/CRPS may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits if they are not able to continue working. For answers to specific questions about applying for SSDI, visit Expert.Allsup.com or call (888) 841-2126.
For more information on disability literacy education materials and the Allsup Post for a Purpose program, contact Tai Venuti at t(dot)venuti(at)allsupinc(dot)com.
ABOUT THE REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY SYNDROME ASSOCIATION
The RSDSA was formed in 1984 to help the Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) community, formerly Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). The RSDSA’s mission is to educate, support, and provide hope to all affected by the pain and disability of CRPS/RSD while we drive research for better treatments and a cure. RSDSA is based in Milford, Connecticut, and is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. To contact the RSDSA call (877) 662-7737, or email info(at)rsds(dot)org.
ABOUT ALLSUP
Allsup and its subsidiaries provide nationwide Social Security disability, veterans disability appeal, re-employment, exchange plan and Medicare services for individuals, their employers and insurance carriers. Allsup professionals deliver specialized services supporting people with disabilities and seniors so they may lead lives that are as financially secure and as healthy as possible. Founded in 1984, the company is based in Belleville, Illinois, near St. Louis. For more information, go to http://www.Allsup.com or visit Allsup on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Allsupinc.
Tai Venuti, Allsup, http://expert.allsup.com, +1 (618) 236-8573, [email protected]
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