Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve.

You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve.... You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) An Opportunity to Serve Rodney Reynar (48) suffers from arachnoiditis, an intractable disease of the spine that causes unrelenting, incapacitating, savage pain. Its often said that to have arachnoiditis is to live with the pain of terminal cancer but without there being an end in sight. Tragically, this disease was caused by a fraudulently registered radiological dye injected into Rods spine. In 1998, the Reynars became residents of the Town of Olds when Rod accepted his dream job as Dean of Agricultural Sciences at Olds College. Unfortunately, this dream came to an end two short years later. From 2000 to 2006, Rod spent 20-21 hours/day in bed. During his short hours out of bed, he was often seen volunteering across the street at his daughters school, Olds Elementary. Rod had a spinal cord stimulator implanted from 2000 until 2005. This provided approximately 60% of his pain relief. However, a serious infection involving the stimulator led to a series of traumatic back surgeries in 2006. Following his surgeries Rod experienced a miraculous reprieve in his pain for almost 3 years. Rod was able to park his wheelchairs and greatly enjoyed the freedoms that came with decreased pain levels. During this time period, he successfully completed his Ph.D. in Agricultural Education, enjoyed being with his family and travelling with them to The Netherlands and then to Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan. He also enjoyed serving the Town of Olds as Chair of the Library Board and member of the Olds Advisory Group for Sustainable Living (OAGSL). He valued the opportunity to volunteer for Mennonite Central Committee. Unfortunately, the 3 year reprieve came to a crashing halt in the fall of 2011. Since then, Rods pain levels have increased so dramatically that for the last 16 months he has been confined to his bed 24/7. His pain levels are so severe that he struggles to speak, sleep and even change positions in bed. Once a voracious reader, he now struggles to read a page in a book. If you go to visit with Rod, dont expect to sit in the living room, the office or around the dining room table. Instead, you will be invited to his bedroom. Why you may ask? Thats where the family hangs out, eats, entertains others, the girls do homework/art and more. For Rod, his bed is where he lives, every day, all day, and month after month. Only when he has a doctors appointment does he leave his bed. Not being able to see his daughters play sports, or join in other family or community activities is extremely hard for Rod. After countless visits with specialists, it comes down to this: Rod's arachnoiditis is progressing. Although changes in his pharmaceutical prescriptions continue to be made, his physicians have indicated that Rod's options can be distilled down to one, a novel or new approach to spinal cord stimulation. Unfortunately for Rod, this new form of high-frequency spinal cord stimulation is only registered in Europe. In the United States, research trials are just beginning. Therefore, commercialization could be 2 to 3 years away. After considerable discussion with doctors, an application to Alberta Health's Out of Country Funding Committee was submitted but, unfortunately denied. The reason for denying the application was that Nevro Senza was deemed an experimental technology in spite of having CE registration in Europe. Rod appealed the decision and is waiting for the Committee's response. In the interim, the Reynars have made the decision that Rod cannot continue to live in his current medical situation. Therefore, they have made arrangements to travel to the Netherlands for an implantation of a Nevro Senza spinal cord stimulator on March 15, 2012. Driving their decision is the impressive research trial data. As one of their doctors said, There is simply no other product available in North America that comes anywhere close to rivaling the pain reduction possible with Nevro Senza. They have made this decision fully aware of the implications. In particular, if the appeal to Alberta Health is not granted, they will bear the full financial burden of traveling to Europe. When they consider the potential benefits, however, they believe that it is the right thing to do. They are also buoyed by the support of friends and family and therefore, they are moving ahead. The cost of the Nevro Senza implantation is approximately $51,000 (one half the cost of a similar implant in the USA). With additional expenses such as travel, accommodation and food, the total financial cost will be approximately $56,000. However, this is a small price for potentially decreasing Rod's pain levels and allowing him to once again engage in life. They are very grateful for an active Faith, for family, and for their community that have supported them in many ways through this journey. Any donations or pledges of financial assistance will be greatly appreciated. Pledges will not be collected until they have a response from Alberta Health Services. Details can be accessed at: www. painrelief4rod.weebly.com.