Soda Can Models was born from necessity over twenty years ago. As a former IT professional, I found myself suddenly unable to continue the daily grind. I was struggling to fight with the devastating effects of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. For those who are curious, RSD, otherwise known as CRPS or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a rare chronic pain condition. Most often it affects one of the limbs (arms, legs, hands, or feet). It usually occurs after an injury or trauma to that limb. CRPS is characterized by prolonged or excessive pain and mild or dramatic changes in skin color, temperature, and/or swelling in the affected area. Sounds fun doesn’t it?

Not really, but I came to the conclusion that doing something productive was far better than sitting around dwelling on the pain combined with numerous procedures and medications I would have to endure. By early 2002, I found myself unable to keep working full time. Medical retirement loomed and I knew that I needed to find something to do to occupy my time or else I would drive myself, my wife and my kids all crazy. Twice during my battle with CRPS, I found myself confined to a wheelchair and twice I fought my way back out. The last time, I swore that I would never go back, and I haven’t since. The fight is daily, but through Soda Can Models, I have proven that I have not been handicapped by my condition. As Janet Barnes so eloquently put it, ‘I am physically challenged and differently abled.”