The Long-Term Effects of UveitisI was freshly out of college and going into grad school when uveitis struck — and it struck hard. I was otherwise perfectly healthy, a privilege that is glaringly obvious...reactions2comments
How It's Been Going With AxSpaGetting diagnosed started off as such a bumpy ride. Every day looked hopeless. Every day looked like things would not get better. Every day I would be in bed. Most...reactions8comments
5 Things I Learned From Leading an AS Support GroupIn 2007 I opened my Facebook-based support group up for business, and it has provided me a lot of knowledge and understanding about our community as a whole. Here are...reactions6comments
The Arthritis Advocacy IcebergThe dictionary identifies an advocate as a person who publicly recommends or promotes a policy or cause. Ideally, it's a good or relatively neutral cause rather than a bad one...reactions3comments
From Self-Help Guru to Disability AdvocateA few years back I created a mental health and wellness website to both share my journey through self-discovery and in hopes to help inspire others to prioritize their overall...reactions4comments
A Painful Return To PillsI'm ever so grateful for my medications and they have completely turned my life around. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2015 and ankylosing spondylitis in 2019. During these...reactions17comments
The 2024 Social Health Awards ProgramEditorial Note: Nominations for 2024 are now closed. We are very excited to announce the launch of the 2024 Social Health Awards program! The Social Health Awards is an awards...reactionscomments
The 2024 Social Health Awards ProgramWe are very excited to announce the launch of the 2024 Social Health Awards program! The Social Health Awards is an awards program recognizing Health Leaders who make a difference...reactions1comment
When Chronic Illness and Stress CollideWhen stress presents itself in my life it tends to turn my life inside out and entirely consume my mind. Everything else of importance is thrown out the window and...reactions8comments
I'm Not Returning to College CampusThis semester college has returned full-time to campus, but I am unable to return to campus due to my AS and being immunocompromised during the COVID-19 pandemic. I thought: well...reactions3comments
Getting My Driver's License With Ankylosing SpondylitisI got my license this month! After 7 years of constantly failing tests, I finally did it. Driving is not for everyone, some struggle with it more than others. I...reactions4comments
Understanding is Love: My New Mantra“Understanding is love’s other name. If you don’t understand you can’t love.” -Thich Nhat Hanh If you met me and told me about a problem you are having in your...reactions4comments
Trauma and Health AnxietyDuring 2020 — when the pandemic began — I developed what I call extreme health anxiety. Living with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) just made it all the worse. I lived (and...reactions2comments
5 Low-Key Arthritis Advocacy MovesI grew up around a bunch of civic minded folks. The adults in my life took an active part in our community. Between helping people get to doctor's visits and...reactions4comments
How Working On My General Health Helped My SymptomsThere’s a certain hopeless finality in being told you have a disease with no cure. I didn’t for a moment question the highly trained specialist sitting before me when he...reactions5comments
I Stood Up For Myself!I’ve been a shy, anxious person my whole life. I don’t remember a time when I found it easy to talk to people. I was even anxious around extended family...reactions3comments
Finally Finding ReliefI've had 5 long years of an agonizing flare that I thought would never subside. This journey to and through diagnosis of spondyloarthritis has seen symptoms linger, intensify, and morph...reactions19comments
The Pain That Wasn’t ASIt had been a year without a flare, the first I could remember in more than a decade. The years of fine tuning, taking care of my health, figuring out...reactions8comments
Keep On Dancing: Going to a Concert With AxSpAAxial spondyloarthritis has a way of creeping into every activity I do, like a bright red sock accidentally mixed in with a load of white laundry. Some garments turn bright...reactions4comments
My First AxSpa Medication Led to NeutropeniaI am in charge of my health, I keep a close eye on my blood tests and other investigations, I follow my case living with AxSpa thoroughly. I have been...reactions12comments