Today has been a great day, and for a change I can honestly say that I feel as though for a change I have the upper hand on my CRPS. Why has it been a great day do you ask? Well it isn’t because of pain because my pain is still there and it never fails to remind me. However it’s because I took the steps today to take back something that was very important to me before all of this happened. Let me fill you in! I have always really liked the hobby of photography, and got a great sense of fulfillment from the pictures that I took. Then when I was diagnosed with my CRPS that all changed.

When I lost the use of my hand I couldn’t operate my camera. As a result I figured that something that meant so much to me was gone for good. I’ve really struggled with this because I’ve tried to find something to replace it, and I just can’t seem to find anything that has the same level of passion that photography holds for me. I have been finding that I keep referring myself back to photography. It’s one of those hobbies that I have a natural ability for. It isn’t that I didn’t want to learn something new because that isn’t it at all. Something from inside keeps telling me to keep trying to get back into it. You can’t tell me that God hasn’t been playing an active roll in all of this because I know He has! So the other day I decided to do some research and see if there was the possibility of adapting my camera, to be enable me to use it with one hand.

When I took the time to call a local photography shop I got someone who really wanted to listen. He spent time asking me questions, which  threw me for a loop. Then he took the time to find out about my disability and what I needed to be able to make this work. Not only was I impressed with the level of customer service, but I was also impressed by his interest in seeing me succeed and be able to get back into my hobby. After speaking with him for a while he was able to recommend a camera that I can use with one hand. All the buttons are on the right side, and I will be able to control all the cameras functions off the one side.  I was ready to start doing a happy dance over the phone! When he made the recommendation he didn’t stop there. He was able to suggest products that I could use, that would make things easier for me when taking pictures. Then when all was said and done, he recommended a photography group for people with disabilities.  

You see this was more than a person doing their job and wanting to sell a product. I mean yes he had a job to do, and he knew his products and how to sell. What I saw though, was a person who really wanted to help me take back something that means so much to me. I used to work retail and so I know the difference between someone who’s doing their job, and then someone who has a real interest in the person they are selling to. So once we put together all the things I’ll need I’ll be back out there taking pictures!! Of course I still have to deal with my CRPS but even more important is that I’m not letting it stop me from doing the things I love!  So my suggestion is to never give up because there is always a way to overcome!