CRPS Awareness Bill Passed Unanimously in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania legislature unanimously passed House Bill 999, sponsored by Rep. Merle Phillips (R- Northumberland), which will create a state program within the Department of Health to promote public awareness of CRPS.

"I hope this will prohibit anyone else from having their life drastically changed such as ours", states Rick Ulrich, a Cold Township, Pennsylvania resident who has suffered with CRPS for six years, the first 15 months without correct diagnosis and treatment. "I was living my childhood dream serving as coroner for my county and now I am disabled", continues Ulrich, "CRPS not only took my career, but left me with drastically impaired physical participation in the lives of my three active children and wife."

With the passing of Bill 999, Pennsylvania becomes the third state to enact a CRPS awareness and education law, following New York and Delaware. The PA legislation takes effect in 60 days.

The Co-Chairpersons of the RSDAwareness Coalition network, Barbara Schaffer, Jenny Dye, and Rick Ulrich, are accredited with initiating the CRPS awareness and education bill. For more information on CRPS and awareness advocacy efforts please see the PA-based CRPS Coalition network website www.rsdaware.org.

December 30, 2003