Thank You! Please take a moment and read....

[Guest guest]

Hi all, and Happy First Day of 2002....

Now that the holidays are behind us and I am able to sit down at the

computer, I want to say a special Thank You. I received in the mail a

package from . In that package was a BEAUTIFUL lighthouse pin.

Honestly, I just think the pin is gorgeous (Thank you so very much

!!!). Then, upon rummaging in the package a bit more, there was

this booklet with a plastic cover. As I turned the pages, I read some of the

most wonderful things from the people in the RSD community thanking me for

what I and ASRSD have done. To me, that was more precious then any plaque or

award I could ever have received. Your words were very humbling to me, and I

thank you from the bottom of my heart.

In a world of constant and never-ending challenges, RSD and ASRSD/CRPS, Inc

have become one of my main focus's, aside from my immediate family. But to

be honest, the RSD community has BECOME my family as well, albeit extended.

It's YOU that makes me stay focused when all I want to do is crawl under the

covers or bury myself in pillows and blankets on the sofa (actually, I still

do that part, just not when I need to work lol).

So, for all the kind words from each of you, I need to tell you that you are

more appreciated then you know. You are my therapy to keep RSD from taking

over; you are my rock, something and someone that I can lean on when I need

to; you are my salvation and lifeline, without you, my focus on life instead

of on the daily agony of RSD would surely have put me under; and finally, you

are my friends and my family all rolled into one: for family is not always

who raised you...family is the group of people that surround you, care about

you, love you no matter how stupid you get, no matter how angry you appear,

no matter what may slip out in a minute of ignorance or arrogance....family

is the people that share your life DAILY, that hold you up in the face of

adversity, that support you and care DEEPLY about your well being. Yes, you

are my family, and the words I have said here can never be enough for all

that you have given me.

I will always remember that I am just a man, just doing what needs to be

done, and that you are my purpose and what I hold dear. I may get frustrated

at times and want to throw in the towel, but I promise I will always think of

you first and what HAS to be done. In the face of so many that breath and

fan the flames of adversity within the RSD community and would rather see

ASRSD/CRPS thwarted and folded and, you have shown me that can not happen,

and so I promise you that it will not happen.

Thank you all again for the kind words, for giving back some of the strength

that I was starting to feel fade in recent months. You gave to me the most

wonderful and precious present.....my self-esteem and the drive to keep

going. Love and hugs to all ~~Tom

Sincerely,

Tom (TMExecDir@...)

Executive Director

American Society for RSD/CRPS, Inc.

PO Box 1397

Abingdon, MD 21009

hotline: 1-866-OUR-PAIN

Office:

Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10 am to 3 pm

web: http://americansocietyforrsd-crps.org