When Zoe Gellert was 11 years old, she suffered a blunt trauma to her right foot when a 40-pound paver fell on it. The block crushed her nervous system, and pain took control of her entire body. After months of struggling with intense pain, Zoe was diagnosed with CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome), a form of chronic pain that causes a person to experience persistent, severe and debilitating pain.
In search of the best treatment possible, Zoe began the inpatient Chronic Pain Management Program at Children's Specialized Hospital (CSH). This four-week inpatient program employs a multidisciplinary approach to increase function, decrease pain and sensitivity, and promote the use of adaptive coping skills.
A budding entrepreneur, when Zoe came to CSH in August, 2020, she had started a jewelry business, making bracelets with inspirational words like fearless, courage, strength and be your hero. Zoe’s determination, creativity and hard work helped her business take off! Guided by her natural inclination to philanthropy, Zoe donated a portion of her monthly sales to charity. While at CSH, Zoe chose to donate all of the proceeds from the month of August to the CSH Chronic Pain Management Program so kids like her get the care they need.
Zoe shared her inspirational message, “My goal in life is to help others be their own hero. While I am far from finished, I believe that helping others is fuel for helping yourself.”
For more information, or to learn more about how you can help others with a future gift to Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation, please contact Elena Herskowitz at 1-201-618-3133 or 1-888-CHILDREN ext. 55462 or eherskowitz@childrens-specialized.org.