"Neuropathy Is Part of Me and My Family"

“For the past two years, I have been suffering from chronic progressive stabbing and burning pain in my feet and hands. My neuropathy has literally taken over my life; as a consequence, it has also taken over the lives of my husband and my 10-year old daughter, Katie.

Like most people with neuropathy, the disease started slowly with some tingling in my feet and progressed over time to pain. Now, my daily pain has progressed from my feet up to my legs and my lower knees. If someone touches my feet, my pain intensifies.

I used to be very active in Katie’s school and activities, as well as in my own career as a social worker. I used to help out at Katie’s school and volunteer on committees. I used to drop her off and pick her up from school each day. I did this while I worked full-time as a social worker helping children with special needs in a local school system. I used to love to walk with my family. I was very active, and had a great balanced lifestyle, doing things I loved. But, now, those days are over for me.

I do not give up hope that I will be able to walk with my family again. And because of The Neuropathy Association, I have even greater hope.

-Elizabeth C.