By Ed Coghlan

72 year old Constance Marley is the star of a film she would rather not be in.

The movie is “Trial by Fire”. It’s a film that is about Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

The film is to be featured tonight (February 11) at the Hollywood, Florida film festival.

Complex regional pain syndrome, also known as CRPS is a rare, chronic (long-term) and progressive condition characterized by severe pain, inflammation and changes in the skin. Patients commonly describe the pain as a burning sensation, which affects one of the arms, legs, hands or feet.

Constance Marley’s son, Charles Mattocks is a well-known celebrity chef who has produced the film do two things:

Educate medical and patient communities about CRPS

Create a Social Movement.

Mattocks comes about his activism naturally. Seven years ago, he was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. This celebrity chef, author and film maker made it his mission to give back others who need to understand how to battle their diabetes.

His number one tip?

“Eat and drink what God put in front of you, lean meat, lean fish, vegetables, fruit and water.”

So it makes sense that this sense of activism would result in something designed to help his mother and others who suffer from CRPS.

His mother was diagnosed with CRPS eight years. She mostly couldn’t and hasn’t found much relief, “ketamine didn’t work for her,” Mattocks said.

His mother’s journey, which started when she tripped and fell eight years ago, inspired the film.

“That and a real strong feeling of doing something for people,” said Mattocks.

The film has been getting good reaction and excellent press coverage.

“We think the movie can help created a social movement—to help engage tens of thousands of people really bring about change,” Mattocks told the National Pain Report. “The film can help make sure the world hears the CRPS patient.”

CRPS advocates really have two objectives when it comes to education.

To let patients know that they aren’t alone To educate more doctors so the disease can be identified and diagnosed earlier. (CRPS patients normally have seen 4-to-5 doctors before a diagnosis is made.

The film cost about $50,000 to produce. A Go Fund Me project helped defray some of those expenses. But the expenses are continuing. It costs money to enter a film festival and to promote the film.

Mattocks has been working with a number of CRPS patient advocates including Partners in Pain.

He’s optimistic that it is making a difference.

“When I first got to know the CRPS community I heard the frustration-that someone needed to be their voice-be their spokesperson,” he said. “I saw it as an opportunity to help.”

Creating engagement and advocacy about the disease is desperately needed.

The efforts of the Tampa, Florida man is a giant step in the right direction.

For more information about Charles Mattocks, visit his website. www.charlesmattocks.com

For more information about the film visit the website. www.trialbyfiremovie.com

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