Former Moose Javian Easton Mengel received a very special gift from the Saskatchewan Roughriders recently.  

The 12-year-old boy suffers from the rare condition Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), which causes severe chronic pain throughout his body. Mengel is one of only two children in Canada that has CRPS throughout their entire body.  

His family moved from Moose Jaw to B.C. four months ago. A big Saskatchewan Roughriders fan, Mengel received a care package from the football club that included a collection of autographs, an autographed football, water bottles, a Grey Cup blanket and a letter from the team.  

“The principal at the high school, oddly enough, he's from Saskatchewan and he knows my brother, which is just small world coincidence and he's the one that contacted the Riders and got the care package sent to Easton,” explained Mengel’s mother Britt Hepting.  

Hepting said the care package from the Roughriders put a smile on the face of a boy living in crippling pain every day.  

“Easton was so excited when he got it. That was the first time he had smiled in like three weeks. He thought it was the coolest thing ever. He just kept looking at his football that was all autographed and he was like I can't believe I have this,” she said.  

For Mengel and his family, the care package was a glimmer of hope during a difficult time for them.  

Mengel’s CRPS had been in remission for two years and Hepting was able to manage his pain. However, on Nov. 22, Mengel relapsed, they could no longer control his pain and his health has been declining since then. This is currently no known cure for CRPS. 

“I don't think he will make it through this if he doesn't hit remission soon. I just don't think he's going to make it through and we have no options, not even one,” Hepting said.  

Fundraisers were held in 2020 to help send Mengel to Italy for treatment. However, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and they were unable to make the trip.  

Hepting added that the support they have received has been overwhelming. His sister, Oakley, started a “Socks for Smiles” campaign a number of years ago asking people to send him socks. He received socks from around the world including Russia, Australia, Holland and the United States.  

A Facebook page has been set up called “Just to See Him Smile.” Anyone can join the group and post positive messages or anything that will put a smile on Mengel’s face

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