I would like to nominate a very special friend, Elaine King, Co-Ordinater of The Geelong Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Support Group of 18 Colorado Drive, Corio,Victoria for the RSD Hope Hero Program

Elaine lived in pain for approximatly 12 months due to an accident before being diagnosed with R.S.D. which she has had for about 12 years. Living in fear of the unknown and not knowing where to turn, Elaine answered my letter which was published in the Womans Day because what she read was mirror image of herself.

Elaine phoned me from Melbourne and discussed her condition, $30:00 later we had formed a friendship that is still going strong.We kept in touch once a month to be there for each other.

Elaine's Specialist inserted the cord stimulater into her spine for pain releif and as soon as she was able to travel, Elaine and her husband Noel set off on the long drive from Geelong, Victoria to Rockhampton in Queensland to meet me.

After many discussions of trying to establish a support in Geelong, Elaine returned to Geelong very nervous and unsure of acheiving this. On her return Elaine contacted the Geelong Observer and received publicity on what she was hoping to acheive.

In those days there was very little know about RSD and Elaine had no replies from this publicity. Not giving up Elaine approached the news paper again and this time had a couple of calls from interested fellow RSDers' and from there the Geelong R.S.D.Support Group was born.

Through Elaine's perserverance the birth of the Geelong R.S.D. Support Group has grown and is well known amongst many Doctors in Victoria and a few in Queensland. At these meetings every month they have guest speakers and the members exchange details.

I would like to congratulate Elaine for starting the first R.S.D.Support Group in Australia and congratulate the group on their 7th birthday on the 4th of October.

Elaine has been the backbone of this Group even though she has been through many difficult times and missed very few meetings. I feel Elaine deserves this nomination for her drive in starting this group and putting all her pain and anguish behind her, not forgetting her husband who has been there with her.

Judith Cesari-White