(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A Highland Park mass shooting survivor is hoping to empower others through her story of overcoming chronic pain.
Liz Turnipseed's life took an unexpected turn in 2022 when she was shot in the back of her left leg during the Highland Park Fourth of July mass shooting, which caused her severe nerve and tissue damage and eventually became a chronic pain problem.
"It was with me kind of all the time, and if the more that I did, the worse it would get."
The chronic pain made it hard for Turnipseed to do everyday tasks, like stand up, use the stairs, or cook.
After trying traditional methods of chronic pain relief, such as medications and injections, she received a dorsal root ganglion, or Proclaim DRG device from Abbott. It works by disrupting pain signals before they can reach the spinal cord or brain.
"I was able to immediately start getting some relief, which was just joyful to be able to – after, you know, 18 months – start to actually truly feel better."
She says she hopes others experiencing chronic pain know that they don't have to "suffer in silence."
"To just be able to go and have fun and not be worried that if I try to do anything, it's just going to exacerbate my pain is wonderful. And you know, that's really what I wish for people that, you know, you can just have the ability to take care of yourself."
Turnipseed said she encourages others experiencing chronic pain to explore their pain relief options.
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