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Gold Award Spotlight: Suffering in Silence: Combatting CRPS
Girl Scout Ambassador Noor, a 2025 graduate of Norfolk Academy and member of Troop 495, earned the Girl Scout Gold Award for completing a Take Action project to spread information and awareness of CRPS.
Complex regional pain syndrome, or CRPS, is a form of chronic pain that typically develops after an injury. With this condition, the recurring pain usually presents in a higher proportion to the severity of the initial injury. The syndrome disproportionately affects adolescent women and teenage girls, including Noor.
In sixth grade, an innocent game of tag led to Noor’s toe being slammed in a door. Despite the injury seeming minor, she said her life was “forever changed by CRPS.” After recognizing the lack of resources and the misinformation surrounding this condition, she took action to create a centralized online resource with the support of Dr. Stephen D’Amato. While navigating through research, Noor discovered some striking statistics.
“CRPS is more common in females—a shocking 70 percent. Moreover, CRPS is more common among adolescent girls with the mean age being 13 years old. After numerous X-rays, MRIs, boots, and crutches, nothing was broken or fractured,” Noor said. “Still, the excruciating pain that can only be described as an extreme burning sensation and intense pressure, spread from my right pinky toe to my right hip. It prevented me from participating in sports and eventually even from walking. It hurt to lightly touch my leg. It wasn’t until two and a half years later that I was finally pain-free after receiving treatment.”
Noor ensured that this Take Action project will be sustainable beyond her involvement.
“I regularly checked in with the doctors on my team, such as Dr. Stephen D'Amato for advice on the most reputable sites to gather research from as well as their own affiliated research. The site is hosted on a long-term platform and has been built to require minimal maintenance, while still offering valuable and up-to-date resources. I’ve included links to reputable, regularly updated sources such as medical institutions and CRPS advocacy organizations, ensuring that visitors can always access the latest information even after my active involvement ends. Additionally, I have shared the website with community organizations, school counselors, and chronic pain support groups who can continue to circulate and promote the resource.”
Congratulations, Noor!
