My Disease is Dynamic: This is What it Looks Like for MeSomething that's getting a lot of attention in the chronic illness community right now is the idea of a dynamic disability. So what is a dynamic disability and what can...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Part One Of My Diagnosis Story: Getting Diagnosed in ChinaI thought I would share my diagnosis story with you guys for two reasons. Firstly, because it’s a pretty unique and crazy tale and secondly, to show to anyone who...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
Pivoting With AxSpaI think one of the biggest misconceptions I had about my AxSpa journey was that when I found the right medications, diet, and exercise routine to manage my disease, I...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Supporting a Partner with AxSpA Vol. 2 - Advice for OthersThis is volume 2 in a series of articles focusing on supporting loved ones with axial spondyloarthritis. The advice I would give to others with a spouse or family member...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
It's Not Working: Dealing With Treatment Disappointment“Try this, it will totally change your life!” “This amazing drug is now over the counter, I use it every day!” “All I need is 100mg of this and I'm...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
How I Incorporate the Topic of AS into My College WorkI am a student studying Social Care Work. If you’ve read my article AS Doesn’t Give a Damn About College Deadlines or if you are a student, you will know...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Blinded by ASAnkylosing spondylitis diagnoses can take years to find, and they usually come after a ton of pain and unexplained symptoms with a search for doctors that will take you seriously...Reactions0reactionsComments9 comments
My First COVID-19 VaccineI was sitting in my friend's garden, socially distant when I received the text on Friday the 23rd of April saying that my consultant had registered me for my vaccine. I was due to have it on Wednesday the 28th of April. I was ecstatic. I was very shocked...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Switching From a Biologic to a BiosimilarI began my first biologic treatment, Humira, just over a year ago. After 11 months, I had a follow-up appointment with my rheumatologist’s office. My prescription expired after one year...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
A Mental Health Flare-Up KitDuring a flare-up, we all have our tools and assistive devices to make things better. From a walker to a cane to a showering chair, we try to keep up...Reactions0reactionsComments15 comments
I Experience Ableism When I Use My Mobility AidsI’ve been using my mobility aids (mostly my walker) more and more the past few months. Over the course of the pandemic, my chronic fatigue has gotten worse, so I...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
How I Use Medical Cannabis to Manage AxSpaI have been suffering from not only axial spondyloarthritis, but with other conditions that cause inflammation in the body. I have spent the past decade in and out of hospital...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
An Open Letter to Able-Bodied IndividualsDear able-bodied individuals, If you lived in my shoes for just one day, you would understand—the trauma, the sacrifices I have to make, the constant pressure to perform more abled...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Life Lessons from 17 Years of IllnessI’ve had many different chapters in my life—I was diagnosed with AS when I was nine—and I was incredibly ill until I was 16. I spent the next eight years...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
An Unrealistic Outlook on ExerciseIn the past year, I have gained unwanted weight. This is due to a lack of mobility and medication. I was pretty much bed-bound for three months, while on steroids for 5 months...Reactions0reactionsComments15 comments
I Was Wrong About ArthritisI was wrong about arthritis before. I was wrong about who arthritis affects. I thought it was an affliction of the elderly, a nuisance I might encounter as I age...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Tuning Into Self-Worth While Chronically IllA lot of the time when I'm speaking to people with AS (and other chronic pain conditions), they mention that their disease has made them feel worthless. This always breaks...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
I Tried TENS For PainTENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. This is a fancy way of describing mild zaps of electricity being sent through the skin to disrupt pain sensations. It's important to discuss...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Everyday Thoughts and My Chronic IllnessWhen it can affect every aspect of your day-to-day life, there’s no forgetting about a chronic illness. After I was first diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, I had trouble plugging the...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
How I Sleep Better With ArthritisMy best days go full circle, with a natural flow from activity, rest, more activity, relaxation, and then sleep. I begin and end the day with a quiet spiritual practice...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments