About ThermoSpas Seasons of Giving Michele
| Michele |
Michele soaking in her new ThermoSpas hot tub. 
Michele enjoying the ThermoSpas jets. 
Seasons of Giving recipient: Michele. 
Michele candid in ThermoSpas hot tub. 
Michele gives a relaxed smile. Now Michele Receives Extraordinary Gift Which Provides Welcome Pain Relief & Chance to be with FriendsWHO: Michele suffers from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD): the most painful condition on the McGills Pain Index. There is no cure. WHAT: Michele is in constant pain. Every night, Michele wakes up crying because her legs hurt so much. Her doctor has prescribed aqua therapy, but spa treatment is no longer covered by her insurance and a therapeutic hot tub is not in her family's budget. But now, thanks to ThermoSpas, Michele will be able to experience the benefits of warm water therapy every day right in her own backyard. WHY: "Michele hurt her right foot playing soccer and traumatized the sympathetic nerve. She has been diagnosed with RSD. Her foot is constantly sending a signal to her brain telling it that her foot is broken, which it is not," states her mom. "She has had RSD for 6 years. During this time, the RSD has traveled throughout her body. She spends most days in bed because the pain is so bad, especially during the winter." "I stay up at night when she cries. That is the hardest thing in the world to not be able to make it better and make the pain stop. I am also worried about her getting depressed. I have been told by several doctors that there is a 96% suicide rate with children who have had RSD for over five years. This is no life for a pretty young girl with hopefully many years ahead of her," explains her mom. While pain is a constant for Michele, her inability to attend high school and enjoy typical teen activities can be heartbreaking. "Michele was an active girl, playing soccer, lacrosse, swim team, snow-skiing and water skiing. Now I pray every night that Michele will simply have a good day, one with only a little pain where she can get out of bed. It has been very hard on her because she feels her life has been taken away," said her mom. "A hot tub would help Michele with her pain, but it would also be a wonderful and safe social place for her to hang out with her friends." A hot tub provides Michele with proven therapy:
Through its Seasons of Giving program, ThermoSpas donated a Triton Elite hot tub, which has 46 therapeutic jets and the "Ease of Use" commendation from the Arthritis Foundation. We would like to thank everyone at ThermoSpas for the amazing spa that you donated to our daughter Michele. Michele has been suffering with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) for seven and a half years. RSD is the highest rated pain condition on the McGill Pain Index and, unfortunately, there is no cure. Water therapy is very helpful in lowering Michele's pain level, allowing her to better function during the day. Thanks to her new spa, she is able to have water therapy on a continuous basis. Seeing your child in pain all the time is very hard for parents. We can't thank you enough for your help. When Michele gets out of the spa, she is very relaxed and in less pain. She looks forward to spending many hours in the spa, especially in the winter months when her pain is the worse. With Michele's high medical expenses, a spa was not in our budget. Thanks again for making it possible. Sincerely, Michael and Karen D., Michele's dad and mom |
