Blessings That Ankylosing Spondylitis Has Given To Me

By Jes Hojsan

2 min read

Having AS has been one of the hardest things that has been placed on my path. I have come to believe that finding the lessons can make the pain hurt a little less when you can connect and beautiful lesson. So here are my blessings AS has taught me!

Patience and understanding

I’ve had to learn that patience is a necessity in life. Chronic illness or not. I’ve waited up to a year for specialist appointments, hours in hospital waiting rooms, weeks for medication deliveries. As someone who naturally can never wait for things, I’ve really learned to trust the process and understand I don’t have control over shit! (It’s actually a bit freeing!)

Chronic illness awareness

This probably sounds obvious, but until I had a diagnosis I just thought I was a weirdo with all of these problems. I didn’t really have the terminology or the understanding that I would be ill forever. Not only that but that it wasn’t something personal. That many people struggle and I’ve been able to educate myself on my own diseases, but others that don’t even affect me. I hope it’s making me a more understanding and compassionate person (I hope!)

Finding true friends

Chronic illness can cause you to feel invalidated but even the most educated of people (like doctors), so it’s been so nice to see those which will listen and understand that you may cancel 99 times but will still be there to invite you for that 100th try.

Teaching my children

My hope is that by me being a mom with chronic illness, I will be able to be a real-life lesson as to what it is to have an invisible illness and that I can teach my children about judgment, acceptance, and empathy.

It’s made me awesome!

Yup and I’m not afraid to toot my own horn (beep beep). I get up every day and do my best, even though 99% of the time I just want to stay in bed and sleep and escape the pain and all the hassle that comes with chronic illness. But I don’t. I choose to get up, to fight. I love. I share, I try my best. And I think that’s badass!

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falani Member
Katfrog, I feel your pain. I also have AS, RA, BC, PC and IBD to mention a few. I struggle to get out bed and hate to go to bed. It's a 24 hr cycle of pain from numerous diseases. I have not had much success with numerous physicians, procedures, surgeries, therapy, etc. I realize that I'll never be free of the constant pain but know that there are people worse off then me. The only thing that keeps me going is wanting to see my family and friends for one more day. I love life and know when my number is up that's it. In the meantime, take it a day at a time. Sounds corny but it's all I can offer. Thanks for your post. Keep the faith, pray, be kind, generous and save your soul ✨.
Katfrog Member
AS (and RA and severe asthma) took away my amazing career, my active life, and my health. Are there things I'm still grateful for, sure. I'm not a better person. I'm crumbling into oblivion and into more and more pain, with less help. It's hard to find specialists. Kudos to those that can turn this into something positive. 
1. Cody Leach Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="Katfrog" user-id="2389283"/> It's understandable that you're having trouble finding something positive out of everything you're going through. It sounds like you have a lot going on. I hope that you're able to find some much-needed relief from the pain soon, even for just a few moments. Sending lots of vibes for comfort and relief. Glad to have you here in our community. - Cody (Team Member)
Lawrence Rick Phillips Moderator & Contributor
I do not think it made me awesome, but it did make me a much better human. I am a better person, husband, son, father, grandfather, and man..................... rick
James Hollens Moderator & Contributor
It's definitely a great idea to take a step back and look at the blessings that AS has given us rather than focusing on the obvious negatives that is brings! Thanks for sharing, James (Community Member)