Monday, November 2, was Color the World Orange Day, an initiative to help bring awareness to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, also referred to as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RDS).
Color the World Orange events took place across the United States and around the world, and social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter took notice. ColorTheWorldOrange.com also documented the occasion.
Among the highlights:
- Official proclamations recognizing Color the World Orange Day and CRPS were issued in 37 states, including: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin
- IF YOU DON’T SEE YOUR STATE LISTED, CONTACT YOUR GOVERNOR AND MAKE SURE YOU’RE INCLUDED NEXT YEAR!
- In Australia, the Queensland Performing Arts Center was lit up orange, as was the Wheel of Brisbane, the SKYPOINT Observation Deck, and the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel
- And in the UK, Color the World Orange Day is being followed up by a CRPS Conference on November 14th in Bath
While the day was truly a worldwide event, it was local outreach that helped leave lasting impressions. In Apalachin, NY, Kirah DeCarlo and Ashley Krause shared their experiences living with CRPS with WBNG Action News. And in Meadville, PA, Brandon Beuchat and his mother Cheryl talked to The Meadville Tribune about what his life with CRPS has been like.
DeCarlo described her CRPS as “tingling–your arm in spots can be numb, but you’re still in horrendous pain.”
Beuchat said, “It’s pretty much like living with a broken bone every day, with nothing to do about it. It just sucks.” His mother added, “To look at my son, you wouldn’t know there was anything wrong with him. People don’t realize how much pain these people struggle with.”
While there is currently no routine treatment for CRPS, those involved in Color the World Orange Day hope that, by raising awareness, more treatments will eventually be made available.
“I can’t deal with this anymore,” said Krause. “It’s hard, and it’s known as a suicide disease.” Ultimately, she wants the same thing anyone with CRPS would want. “A cure,” she says. “That’s all I’m asking for.”
