Molly is a 17 year old RND and Dysautonomia warrior. For 3 years she has been afflicted with ongoing health issues as a result.  In 2012, she was diagnosed with a severe pain condition that is considered worse than childbirth.  "It all started with a bee sting,” she explained.

 

Within days, the affected area should have been healed and no longer hurting. Instead, the pain persisted.  Two days after the initial sting, she could only walk on crutches.  A week later, she was reduced to using a wheelchair.  Medical professionals were stumped, and ordered one test after another.  Dr. Pletcher, Director of Adolescent Medicine at UPMC Children’s Hospital, was Molly's regular attending physician.   Once involved, it wasn't long until he diagnosed her with Reflex Neurovascular Dystrophy.

 

“RND sometimes begins with an injury…any type of injury…including something as simple as a bee sting,” explained her mother Renea Holden. “That isn’t always the case, but in terms of Molly, it was the catalyst to the onset of her RND.” [Editor’s Note: Molly is not allergic to bee’s. It had less to do with the bee, and more to do with an injury.]

 

Soon thereafter, Molly was no longer able to function, go to school, walk, or enjoy being a teenager.   "I missed riding horses the most," she said.  

 

"It was such a desperate time," stated Holden.  "As a parent, seeing your child suffer like this is terribly difficult.  I couldn't even touch her."                                                                      

 

As part of her treatment, Dr. Pletcher recommended her to the Children’s Institute. The intense physical therapy program offered at the Pittsburgh hospital is one of only 5 in the nation. “She arrived there in a wheelchair. Just 8 days later, she was walking. I couldn’t believe it!” explained Holden. Thanks to this amazing program, Molly is now able to function in spite of the condition.

 

Although now functional, Molly is still forced to live with the pain daily. It has migrated throughout her body. “RND is an invisible disease," explained Holden. "To look at one suffering, you’d never know there was anything wrong with them. It is hard to diagnose, and there is no cure--or medicine--that will reduce the pain. Children coexist with this condition, and they often run into an unsympathetic society. People think they are making it up...exaggerating...sometimes even accusing them of making it up ‘all in their head.’

 

“It’s true, Molly has come a long way since Dr. Pletcher’s diagnosis. Still, we take each day as it comes. More often than not, I still can’t hug her. Even now, there are times when she can’t even get out of bed. The pain has a mind of its own, and she is at the mercy of RND. Nonetheless, every time she gets up and faces the world, I see a courageous young woman who refuses defeat. I am inspired by her.”

 

Three years ago, Molly was also diagnosed with Dysautonomia (POTS) by Dr. Pletcher. Her autonomic nervous system malfunctions, leaving the teenager dizzy and ready to faint. She is intolerant to temperature and motion changes. “Molly also has difficulty breathing. It can be very frightening,” stated Holden.  

 

Just weeks ago, for the first time in years, Molly even

got back on a horse. She brings new (and wonderful)

meaning to that old adage, “When you fall off the

horse, you get back on again!” Congratulations

Molly! May you ride free love!