Eye-catching orange and white racing silks with ribbons and her initials are more than just a fashion statement for 18-year-old Taylor Logan.
Typically, Elliott Logan riders wear blue and white Kentucky stables silks, colors accompanied by the letter L, horseshoe and TEC Racing emblazoned on the front.
In November, including those who started their at HoneysuckleThat look is dramatically different.
Kazushi Kimura wears orange silk jersey by TEC Racing to spread awareness about complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
Taylor said: “I really like them about the silks she designed with her father. “I thought for a while that it would be great to do something like that, but we never really started doing it. Then one day I sat down with my dad and we thought, ‘Let’s do this. We might like it, we might not, but let’s try.’ We both really liked it.”
A sentiment echoed by her father.
“Taylor had a lot of input on the design. We’re very pleased with the way they’ve created it.”
The story behind the silk, featuring an orange ribbon and the letters TAL, first came to light more than two years ago in the aftermath of a serious medical diagnosis for a teenager.
Nearly three years ago, Taylor was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a term that describes excessive and persistent pain and inflammation that causes trauma to an arm or leg.
“On an average day, my pain level is about 7 out of 10. And that’s a good day. A good day is when I can wear whatever I want — I’m hypersensitive to it. – but there are certain days when I can’t wear a particular pair of shoes, socks or pants. Good days are when I can wear whatever I want and hang out with my friends and i can go to school on bad days 10 out of 10 pain levels i wont be able to lie under a blanket i wont be able to stand anything touching me spend most of my time in the water eyes to try to figure out something to give me some relief We have a few things that can help a little, but on the worst of days, there’s nothing we can do but do your own, other than just letting it happen.”
She can easily recall days and moments that will change her life in ways she never imagined.
Originally thought to be an ankle sprain, less than two weeks later it became much more serious.
“Back in March 2020, March 2, I was a gymnast, and I ended up injuring myself one day. Less than 72 hours later, I had crazy symptoms. This madness has nothing to do with an ankle sprain. On March 13, I was diagnosed with CRPS. We’d never heard of it before and didn’t know who had it. So that was around the time. We have a label, but we don’t know what that label means. We don’t know what it will look like in the future.”
People with CRPS, which has both acute and chronic forms, face a combined change of spontaneous pain or much higher-than-normal pain after something as mild as a touch. . Other symptoms include changes in skin color, temperature, and/or swelling in the arm or leg below the injury site.
Most CRPS diseases are caused by improper function of the peripheral C-fiber nerve fibers that carry pain messages to the brain. The overshoot also causes inflammation designed to promote healing and rest after injury.
Although CRPS improves over time, eventually going away in most cases, some rare cases are severe or persistent.
“Luckily, I’m fortunate to have a physical therapist who knows a lot about it. We don’t have to teach someone what it is and then get treated for it.
“There are so many of us studying, our physiotherapists working, and our doctors doing research. I was lucky enough to get an early diagnosis. Some people take months or even weeks. years without knowing what happened It was made clear to me that I had a long road ahead of me to get back to where I was.
“Some people don’t have pain, others don’t. It’s a unique thing because every case is different, very few people get it and there are very few articles on the internet and the vast majority are not from a single person. who has it.”
That’s what prompted the high school student to share her own story, something not easy to do.
Initially reluctant to speak publicly about her battle with CRPS, knowing it might help others spur Taylor to open up about her struggles.
“I think being able to do this, to have the courage to share my story and to know that it can help others is what helps me. At the same time, there is hope for a cure or treatment. something that can make a big difference.”
Her support group is broad and diverse, going beyond the people she’s closest to with those she’s met in her CRPS journey.
Over time, Taylor has embraced the group’s effortless approach in the face of her grief.
“From the beginning, my parents were there and supported me. My whole family, cousins, grandparents and more, were there for me too. I met a lot of friends through this. , just through different hospitals and treatments. , who are going through the same thing as me, this is very helpful. It made me understand that I am not the only one. Although I have Such great support, but I’m the one who has to get through it and there are times when you feel so lonely.”
That’s when she thought about the horses.
Usually, on difficult days, or even when she wants to make a better day, Taylor and her father will go to where their horses are settling, an opportunity to simply be in the moment. This is not affected by the burdens associated with CRPS.
“I thought it was a good escape, to be able to go out and see the horses. It was a good distraction. In the middle of this, I got my racing license and my father and I started a racing stable, T&E Racing We’re in the process of raising kids right now, so excited at the thought of one day seeing them run. nice getaway and a fun thing to do with my dad.”
She is looking forward to a day, a good day, no doubt, when she can stand by the side of the road and see orange and white silks, ones with ribbons with initials hers on it.
Kazushi Kimura wears TEC Racing’s special silk aboard the Graceful Fighter at Woodbine
In November at Woodbine, Kazushi Kimura, the Toronto rugby team’s top racer, wore them aboard the Graceful Fighter, a 2-year-old flying dog Elliott named after his daughter.
Elliott, whose top horses so far include Shekky Shebaz , placed third in the Breeders’ Cup Sprints ‘2019 (G1T), Millennium Force, Sandy Bay, Souper Watson and Wentru. “That’s how she fights her battles. It’s also CRPS awareness month, so it’s great to have this horse running in November.”
Oddly enough, only a few people other than Taylor and her family knew the meaning behind the silks on that Woodbine afternoon card.
Taylor’s hope is that perhaps there will be more after reading her story.
“I’ve seen the silks on video, but not in person at the races. Hopefully we’ll be able to join a race soon and see them first-hand. That means a lot. for me, I know it’s bigger than most people would think when I see them in the paddock, or on the track.I actually did some high-level shots of myself in silk. .”
Taylor Logan wears TEC Racing’s orange silk in her senior class photo
A photo that her father proudly shares on Twitter.
“If you talk to her, if you see her walking by, you never know what’s bothering her,” suggested Elliott. “She always has a beautiful smile on her face. She is a happy girl, even with all that she has been through and is going through. She is smiling, she is smiling. There was a time, recently, when things went badly for her, and it left her in a wheelchair for months.During that time, she never once complained.
A look Taylor intends to keep throughout her battles with CRPS and beyond.
“I hope one day I can be pain-free. It’s not an easy road ahead but knowing that many good days will come makes me smile.”
This press release has been edited and styled by the BloodHorse Staff.
