We're Sorry

Recently, we featured a giveaway promotion of a cane in our weekly newsletter. One of our members brought to our attention that the subject line of our newsletter using a particular word was a use of ableist language. The word has since been removed from all promotional materials and will not be used moving forward.

It was wrong, it was hurtful, and we sincerely apologize.

Members of our AnkylosingSpondylitis.net community are all too familiar with ableism affecting their lives. Many people have unconscious bias against people who may look, think, act, or move differently than them. Our advocate, Dawn, wrote extensively about her experiences with ableism in her article, Drop the Ableist Catnip.

Phrases that we sometimes use casually can really hurt people, such as we did. The last place we want members to experience ableism is in our own community. Thank you to everyone who is part of AnkylosingSpondylitis.net for making this community an enriching and supportive space. We promise we will do better.