In 1990 I DJ'd a big college graduation party for John Stamos's sister at Paula Abdul's top-o-the-Hollywood Hills house. Stamos and Abdul were dating at the time and she had a big spread with outdoor tennis courts, so it was an ideal spot for a party.
People think Abdul's cheerleading sweetness on American Idol must be an act, but she was just as warm, encouraging and solicitous of me back then as she is of the singers on the show. She was down with my DJness, responding with some very enthusiastic dancing - and that woman can dance (check out her videos for a reminder).
At the end of the night we were chatting — recall this was the height of her musical fame — and I said something about being worn out and sore after hauling my equipment up and down the MANY steps that led to her tennis courts. Then, to my amazement, she pulled me onto her lap and gave me a quick back rub - did a damn good job, too. I had already been a fan of her unpretentious, tuneful and thumping dance music, but after that I dug her hard. After some tough years, I was very happy for her when AI came along and gave her a new career.
This week Abdul, now 42, addresses rumors about "erratic behavior" on the show and elsewhere with People magazine, and on Entertainment Tonight in segments airing tonight and tomorrow.
She says she has been battling chronic pain that began with a cheerleading accident at age 17 which injured a disc in her neck. Then she had "a couple of car accidents" in the 1980s and a plane crash in 1992, which led to seizures, bulimia and depression. But she kept on dancing because "that's what dancers do."
Article comments
1 - NC
After reading that, I can only conclude that you were the inspiration for MC Skat Kat.
2 - Eric Olsen
opposites attract
3 - Katie
Hi,
I'm glad that I'm not the only one who has this horribly painful illness, albeit I was deeply saddened to hear that she also suffered with this, and for so many years too. I just wanted to say you did a fine job of educating the public, because it really can happen to any one of us here and from anything as simple as a stubbed toe or as complicated as a heart attack injury, that could be the cause of RSD and a life of Chronic intractable pain and most folks don't even know this! All I know is I got injured at work and my life is changed forever. I am almost an invalid due to pain and this is not only me this is almost 8 million other Americans with this illness also.
However, I was joyful to learn that hers finally went into remission with the help of the drug Embrial (sp). What a blessing for her! There's not too much good news once your dx with with this illness and it is also one costly illness to have. So many people go broke because of this. But this is finally some GOOD news and I thank you for sharing it!
I would like people to know that any pain that will not go away for six months is then called chronic pain, but it is so important that you do something before you hit that six month mark with RSD, because if you, you can be treated with nerve blocks and can be cured and go into remission. However most orthopedic doctors (like mine) have never seen a single case of RSD in their entire career, and so they wait, and by then it is too late and that window of opportunity is shut forever), SO DON'T EVER WAIT AND SEE IF PAIN WILL EVER GO AWAY ON ITS OWN IF YOU ARE STILL IN AGONY!!!! IF YOU ARE NEAR THE FOURTH OR FIFTH MOUTH OF BEING IN PAIN WITH YOUR DOCTOR, AND IF YOU STILL HAVE PAIN AT THIS POINT, RUN..... AND SEE A SPECIALIST, BECAUSE THERE IS STILL HOPE!!!!!!! This is my warning so you don't end up like me and Paula Abdul with chronic intractable pain.
I hope this will help someone somewhere so they won't have to suffer like I am now.
OM MANI PADME HUM
4 - Eric Olsen
thank you Katie and I am very sorry to hear abou your suffering. Best wishes
5 - swingingpuss
After reading your post I realized that I'd rather my daughter behaved like Paula than brainless Britney.
6 - Canadian RSD
www.canadianrsd.com
7 - Anjali Schutt
Hello!
i just read the articale in People's magazine about you having RSD. And boy do i have a story to tell you!
November 11th 2002- i was horseback ridong and fell of me horse, i was rushed to the hospital and there the docter's said that it was just a minor sprain. so i spent 2 weeks on cruches as the docters said.
Sometime in Feb.- my parent took my to the children's hospital in Boston and the said i had a servere case of RSD.i was on cruches for about a year and a half and the RSD, (which was in my right leg)was doing a little better.
Father's day 2004- still in rehab, my parent's bought me a bike that would be easy for my leg because my left leg could do all the work. i used that bike that day and i went biking with my whole family. i had done almost 3 miles of biking! i was so excited and proud of my self. my whole family crossed the street and i was on my way to cross when a car came speeding from the corner. next thing i know i'm back in the hospital with 2 broken arms and a broken leg with RSD in it.
End of July_ the docters said that it would be ok if i were to still go on the trip that was planned to Italy. Although i do not have a religon, my parents thought it would be cool to go see the pope at the Vatican. so i did, and because i was in a wheel chair, i got to go in front of the big audience and right next to the pope. I went up to the pope and he blessed me. The next day when i was in the hotel room, i was able to put my leg in the ground with out a shocking pain!
Today- my arms have healed, (my left arm quicker the the right arm because i had 4 surgeries on the right one)my leg still has a little pain and escpecially when i run or try to run because i can't really run that well anymore. i am now on nurontin, o medicine for my nerves and it is doing fantastic for my leg! i am so happy to be here today and that i am still alive and i am doing better.
My mom told me that life is like a cup of O.J. your cup can be half full or half empty. My cup is half full!!
Get Well to anyone who has RSD! Just push yourself to get better!
email me anytime at CutieAngel817@aol.com
Love Anjali Schutt
8 - Frank bell
hello, my wife and i were very amazed to learn of paula's rsd condition and praise god she has had remission from this horrible pain. i would like to know moreabout the medication she was onto help this and what surgeries she has endured to help this. you see my wife has had rsd for many years and like every one else it took her demanding a second opinion to finally be diagnosed. her bad days are starting to out way her good days, and i am curious if there is something more to help this besides meds and a stimulator being implanted in her back. thank you for your time.
looking for more good days
frank and debbie bell
9 - sum 1
i sitll dont know if she ever got cured i need to know please help me thank you have a good day
10 - Eric Olsen
the drug she said she's taking is Enbrel
11 - beretta olson
hi,i am a 45 yr. old woman and have diagnosed with rsd on my right hand. i can't close my hand and my fingers are so stiff and swollen its scary. it started after i had my second surgery for cubital tunnel. that one was in dec. of 04. the surgeon sent me to a pain management specialist that wanted to do astellate ganglion injection. i have a 50 50 chance of it working. it involves injections in the neck in the sympathetic nerve tissue. there is no way i can do it! the nurse at work told me about paula and this new drug. i wonder why the other drs. don't know about it???? you can bet they will when i'm done. God Bless u all
12 - Eric Olsen
best of luck Beretta
13 - Erica
Paula, your a greta and a awesome jude and I am glad to see that you have fellings for others and thats what some contestents need, and thats you!!!! I Love you... Keep it up!!
14 - Jenn Bollers
Paula,
Thank you for bringing this horrendous disease into the homes of millions. I have truly suffered for 14 years (June 1) and contracted it by slamming my thumb in a refrigerator when I was 22. I even realize I didn't get a chance to learn how to be an adult ... and now I'm full body and trying to learn how to be this "adult" at the age of 36.
I have been working off and on (depending on how I feel)with various organizations to get the word out about this monstrosity, but to hear you say it on national TV lit a fire under my derier to get back with it and to get back to informing people. Everyone's heard of cancer, MS, Muscular Dystrophy, AIDS, etc. but no one knows about RSD.
I don't expect a response from you (although I'd like one)but to help bring this disease awareness is the best thing we can do, next to finding a cure.
Anyone reading this can feel free to email for info, support, a shoulder to cry on, someone to vent to ... I'm here.
Have Faith,
Jenn Bollers
15 - Emily and Becca
Hey Paula!
We are your BIGGEST FANS! You are the greatest! We look up to you. You are an awesome singer. Someday I (emily) am going to tryout for American Idol. next year. when im 16. Keep up the good work. YOU ARE AWESOME!
WE LOVE YOU PAULA!!!
Forever your girls,
Emily and Becca (Wisconsin)
16 - Alicia
Hey Paula,
You are so cool and your always so nice to people on American Idol. Even if someone did the worst singing you always give them some compliment to brighten there day.You Can IM me if you have aol or aim messanger you can IM me at XoAliciaXo95 :) you are so cool and last nite on A&E there were showing your BIO it was so cool I new you sang but I never really realized you sang straight up thats my fav song from back then YOU ARE SO COOL and my dance teacher looks exactly like you if you saw a pic of her!!!! well bye for now LUV YA ALWAYS,
ALICIA
17 - helene rudin
My husband suffers from sever pain in his back, spine, hips , legs .I would like to know who your Dr. was that treated you. I live in the LA area, thanks nad take good care
18 - Bob A. Booey
How'd you get in with the celebrity crowd as a DJ in LA, Olsen? Did you DJ for anyone else famous?
Cleveland must seem a lot quieter by comparison.
And a question only another DJ could understand: when you played like people's birthday parties and stuff, didn't you find it annoying to have the play the mainstream pop they wanted? And did you even try to beatmatch songs or were you just like a jukebox?
Since I don't have any personal ties with Paula (who does seem very nice), I'll say that she appears to be a total trainwreck on the show. But America likes that trainwreck and she'll be on the show as long as the ratings are still dominant. If they slip at all this season, she'll probably take the hit.
That is all.
19 - Matrix Mike
I was looking on the net for this problem, maybe she should see this doctor: Dr. Frank Pedlow
20 - Paola
My husband suffers from RSD on his left ankle, going up to this knee. This disease or syndrom is destroying his life, its interfering in our marriage, he is always depressed, always in pain.
He is Marine, and these guys are tough, but this RSD is taking my husband's life way.
I would like to know who is the Dr. that treated Paula's RSD.
PLEASE we need some help, I can't see him in this amount pain every single day.
Anyone?
Thank you,
Paola