How Axial Spondyloarthritis Led Me to My Career

When I was 18, I was only one year into my university degree and nowhere near knowing what I wanted to “do with the rest of my life.” I was studying psychology, but didn’t necessarily have a specific career objective in mind. I considered becoming a therapist or continuing in academia.

As I searched for a 5-year plan, I was also searching for an answer to my new, debilitating back pain. I was eventually diagnosed with axial spondyloarthritis when I was 19.

I did research and became terrified

After that fateful appointment with my rheumatologist, I did exactly what anyone would tell you not to do when newly diagnosed — I looked up my disease on the internet. Unsurprisingly, most information I came across terrified me. But once I sifted through the horror stories, I stumbled upon something else — community.

As terms like “invisible illness” and “dynamic disability” flitted across my screen, I began to understand and accept my new identity. My lonely world of unexplained pain had led me to a world of acceptance, support, and community. I wasn’t alone anymore.

The more I read about the disability community, the more I wanted to learn

I started writing articles for AxSpa.net and learned about others who share my condition, as well as other types of disabilities and chronic illnesses. I noticed that despite differing conditions, many people with disabilities share similar experiences and challenges. As my knowledge increased, the feeling of pity I may have previously held towards persons with disabilities transformed into empathy and solidarity.

In my third year of university, I took a Disability Studies course to learn more about disability theory and current issues. When it came time to write my final Psychology thesis, I chose to conduct a research study focused on women with disabilities. I learned about factors that affect the experiences of people with disabilities, like intersectionality, invalidation, and discrimination.

Gradually, my career path took shape

By sharing my experience with chronic illness and disability through AxSpa.net, I made a connection that led me to my current full-time employer. I joined a team that specializes in accessibility and adaptive technology, with the goal of providing workplace accommodations and raising awareness of accessibility and inclusion.

Every day, I get to work directly with people who have disabilities or illnesses much like my own and help them get the support they need. Because I have personally experienced living with a disability, I can relate to what they’re going through. In my opinion, I’m not good at my job despite having axial spondyloarthritis; I’m good at my job because I have axial spondyloarthritis.

It was only a few years prior that I had a former manager ask me why I was even hired if I had a disability. I felt defeated, and worried that my career options would be limited by my disability. Now, I work with a team that fully embraces and supports people with disabilities.

The very illness that I had once worried would hold me back became the catalyst for the beginning of a rewarding career. Without AxSpa, I truly don’t know where I would be now or what I would be doing. I’ve found that those of us in the disability community are very good at finding silver linings.