A Dedication to Diane Cappelli — Team: Kick AS Striders

Diane Cappelli was born in August of 1960 in NJ. It wasn’t until she was about 16 years old that she started to experience lower back pain. At that time, doctors were unsure why she was experiencing this pain but decided since they didn’t know why they would prescribed pain medications for her to deal […]

Walk With Me A While

Image Source (Creative Commons) Guest post: Anita Dasson I’ve had chronic pain on and off since childhood, and have now been diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis and a few other health conditions. I had an MRI for my spine yesterday. I’ve received the films and I am waiting for the report and specialist consultation. Although some […]

Just Say NO

Guest Author: Christina Lowe Do you ever feel like you’re always saying yes, but your body is screaming NO! I will be the first to admit it, so no one feels guilty right off the bat, I am horrible at saying NO. Especially when I want so very badly to say YES. I have always […]

Living Abroad with Ankylosing Spondylitis in Japan

In November of 2015 I packed my things, moved out of my apartment, sold my car, and went to Japan. It’s a cliche expat story, but it’s mine! Any person would be nervous about a move of that magnitude. New language, new culture, new job, new home, new everything. I had to move my AS […]

Why Walking Makes Me Feel Better – Keep Moving!

My name is Lynne McDonald and I have Ankylosing Spondylitis. I have had symptoms since I was 19, diagnosed officially when I was 49, and am now 63. It has been a long, trying battle of “me” against my body but I have fought on. I have tried numerous rheumatologists with all the same answer; drugs, see which ones work. None did. They […]

You Are Reading This Because You Have Ankylosing Spondylitis

AS is a thief, a trickster and a really crappie life-partner. AS has no moral compass and absolutely no compassion. Its lack of empathy is only matched with its intense perseverance. It takes hold and never lets go…even if you have episodes of remission, this disease is lying in wait. Although it is true that […]

The Beast Within – Ankylosing Spondylitis

Guest Author: Shalva (Brenda) Berger There once was a life. Within this life there was a strong, loving woman full of faith. She had encountered many obstacles in life. Yet, regardless of the obstacles, she persevered through them and instead chose to embrace the small joys that were presented by each day. This woman adored […]

Do You Have Persistent Back Pain? Here Is What You Need To Know

Guest Author: Micki Hogan  There is a disease out there crippling people. This disease is vicious. It can cause unfathomable pain. This is a disease few have heard about. We are talking about Ankylosing Spondylitis. Ankylosing Spondylitis is a autoimmune/anti-inflammatory disease that primarily affects the spine, but AS is a very powerful disease that can take […]

What's Your New Normal?

Guest Post by Karen Fitch, Team Captain of Fitch Feet What’s your new normal? Do you have one of those quadruple pill sorters like I do? Maybe you have your infusion appointments logged into you smartphone’s calendar? Possibly you are spending the next few hours wrapped up in bed with a heating pad? Perhaps you […]

Recognizing Caregiver Burnout: We Thank You and Salute You!

Many times we address the needs of those of us with Ankylosing Spondylitis and we fail to acknowledge the people in our lives that act as caregivers and support systems. We all have at least one person – a partner, a parent, or a friend that we turn to when we are in a flare […]