SPECIFIC PURPOSE: To inform my audience about my experience with CRPS.

CENTRAL IDEA: My experience of CRPS before and after I was diagnosed.

ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERN:  before/after

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Attention: I can stand up here and say the phrase 'chronic illness' or 'mental illness' and I know at least one person's name that you know or love will pop into your head. We all know someone who is fighting this familiar battle. I am still fighting this battle as I speak. I live with a chronic illness.

(Transition: 'to be more specific..' )

 

Reveal Topic: I live with CRPS, which is an acronym for "complex regional pain syndrome".

 

Preview: Today, I am going to share my experience with CRPS.

 

A.    It will be split into two phases.

 

1.     The first phase is before diagnosis.

 

2.     The second phase is after diagnosis.

 

(Transition: "I am going to start with..")

 

BODY

 

      I.         The first half of my experience with CRPS, which is "before diagnosis"

 

A.    In August of 2014, I started to feel the symptoms.

 

1.     I had pain in my neck and hands.

 

a)     My pinkies curled up and couldn't move.

 

B.    In October of 2014, my symptoms started to worsen so I seeked medical attention.

 

1.     I started experiencing full body pain and fell into a deep depression.

 

2.     I was referred to the UCSF "pain team" to seek answers.

 

a)     I had to do a full body pain test, where I was officially diagnosed with CRPS.

 

(1)  My central nervous system is damaged.

 

(Transition: "that brings me to..")

 

    II.         The second half of my experience with CRPS, which is "after diagnosis"

 

A.    In May of 2015, I started to receive treatment.

 

1.     I decided I would not use "hard" over the counter pain medication.

 

("I also knew that my mental health could not be ignored, so..")

B.    In July of 2015, I started seeing a psychologist.

 

1.     He helped me find methods to manage my depression and cope with everyday pain.

 

C.    In present day, I am getting by the best that I can.

 

1.     I struggle to stay mentally healthy every single day, but I am no longer depressed.

 

2.     I manage my pain everyday through a healthy lifestyle.

 

a)     I eat a healthy diet, exercise daily, and get good sleep.

 

b)     I know my physical and mental limits.

 

(1)  I know what my body can and cannot do.

 

3.     I give back to those who are also dealing with chronic pain.

 

a)     I used my last 3 birthday parties to run a toy drive for the UCSF children's hospital.

 

CONCLUSION

 

SIGNAL: Now that you know me on a level that's more than visual, let me end by saying:

 

REVIEW: My experience with CRPS is easy to identify through two phases: before and after my diagnosis.

 

KICKER: and like I said, if no one's name popped up in your head at the beginning of this speech, mine now will.