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CRPS took my career. I'm trying to figure out who I am now.

Taylor
I was a line cook for 12 years. It was my whole identity. Two years ago I dropped a stock pot and the burn on my arm turned into CRPS. The pain spread from my hand to my shoulder within months. I can't hold a knife anymore, can't stand the heat of a kitchen. I lost my job, then my apartment, moved back to Phoenix to live with my parents at 34. I'm not looking for pity — I'm just trying to figure out who I am without the thing I built my life around. Anyone else had to completely reinvent themselves? How did you even start?

4 Replies

Casey

34 and back with parents — I'm 31 and same situation. EDS took my ability to do the physical therapy work I loved. Some days I still don't know who I am. But I'm figuring it out. You're not alone in this.

Riley

The identity piece is so real. I don't have advice but I wanted you to know I read this and I see you.

Jordan

I had to leave nursing because of lupus. The identity loss was almost worse than the physical stuff. What helped me was finding one small thing I was still good at and leaning into it. For me it turned out to be watercolors. Not saying it replaces a career but it gave me something that was mine again.

Kelly

Taylor, thank you for trusting us with this. I want you to know — you're not starting from zero. Every bit of discipline and creativity that made you a great cook is still in you. It just needs a new container. When fibro forced me to leave my job I grieved it like a death, and honestly I think that's exactly what it is. Let yourself grieve. The reinvention comes, but it comes slow and it's okay for it to take time. You belong here.

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