12/18/96: The taraus I was driving was hit in the side by another car. I was thrown into my shoulder harness, which functions more as a "neck noose". within 24 hours, I had swelling, burning, pain in my neck and shoulder where I had come into contact with the shoulder harness. When my injury was able to be diagnosed, which took two years (2), before the "blood flow" changed enough to be diagnosed on a 3-phase bone scan at mayo clinic, I learned I had reflex sympathetic dystrophy, also known as complex regional pain syndrome.(rsd & crps). Both are known to be the highest on the mcgill pain index for "types of pain", at level 42. Cancer is 28, and no pain is 0. when I learned that I had rsd and that it began at my neck injury, I contacted Ford's legal department, to ask that they change my seat belt to the new design they implemented in 1996 models (rsd only goes into remission, when treatable. Ford didn't "refuse" to change my seat belt, but merely "ignored me". I spoke with and faxed chris in their legal department. I asked the vp of Ford, Mr. Sheele, on 7/11/03 to make the same repair, when I told him of the major problems with service, quality, and repair from Ford. I have heard from customer service, but with no action, however I have never heard from Mr. Scheele's office, regarding my seat belt problem. Ford knew of a problem with "where" the seat belts crossed necks, which is why they changed the design in 1996! I wish I'd known about this before my accident, so that I could have bought a saver european car. Now, I have a high level of pain for life, called rsd, which travels. My life has been on "hold" since 12/18/96 and I cannot "plan" anything. I must carry my "medical records" with me anywhere I go, becuase of the nature of my treatment, and the drugs involved. www.rsdsa.org to "see" what I looked like, and how I hurt. 1988-1995 seat belts are of the same defective design.

- Fountain Valley,, CA, USA