My Nighttime Routine For Emergency SituationsThe summer of 2019 was the most stressful time of my life. I put The Dude (my elderly uncle and Ward) on hospice, sold his house on an emergency basis...reactions2comments
Having AS and Always Fighting for YourselfI'm writing this article to air a frustration I have with something a lot of us with AS have to deal with. I feel like I’m constantly fighting for myself...reactionscomments
Spondylitis Communication 103: ClarityHave you ever fallen asleep watching one movie and woke up to another? One minute Harrison Ford is Indiana Jones, then you pull that soft blanket up under your chin...reactions2comments
Three Unnerving Questions Most ASers Ask ThemselvesThe notion that people could fake a disability is widely held in our culture. Maybe it's a form of denial around life changing illness and disability? Maybe it's because we...reactions2comments
Yes, the Pain is That BadI'm naturally a highly empathic person. In my research of ankylosing spondylitis, I kept reading about the chronic pain but wanted to know more. How painful is it really? What...reactions12comments
“Shawn” Feels Guilty About Her SpondylitisImagine a spondylitis patient called Shawn. She's an African-American forty-something that most people think younger because she's prone to giggling, can't stop retweeting anything with frolicking otters, and wears lip...reactions2comments
Why Am I So Open?I feel like a lot of people that follow me on social media probably wonder “Why is she so open about everything?”. Why do I talk so much about my...reactionscomments
Planning For Self-Care Success: Three Good ThingsLiving with AS can feel like a buzz saw merry-go-round. The saw blades are composed of the health issues and symptoms we're fighting back against. The merry-go-round, a mash-up of...reactions1comment
Ask the Advocates: CopingIf you had to pick 1 aspect of your life that has been most affected by AS, what would it be and how have you coped with that? If I...reactionscomments
Guided MeditationMeditation has been shown to have multiple benefits on a person’s health, both physical and emotional. Regular meditation can help relieve pain, increase positive emotions, and improve memory and concentration...reactionscomments
How to Advocate for Someone With ASAt 23, I became a caregiver when my husband Keegan was bedridden from nonstop pain and immobility. Immediately finding oneself in the caregiver role, it's hard to know the skills...reactions1comment
Finding Credible Health InformationThere's a lot of health information available on the internet these days. From personal blogs to online magazines to government websites and beyond, advice about your health is at every...reactions2comments
Nightmares and Their Link to Inflammatory ArthritisAuthors of a study published in Brain and Behavior in March 2019 reported an unexpected discovery. Researchers were originally investigating the link between inflammatory arthritis, like ankylosing spondylitis, and an...reactions5comments
10 Things You Should Know About Clinical TrialsEach year thousands of clinical trials occur. Learning about clinical trials can feel like you are learning a new language. The good news is that there are lots of resources...reactionscomments
Seven Ways To Stay Safer With SpondylitisSometimes living with spondylitis feels like I'm on a bizarre game show. Where I'm the host and the medical community are contestants. We understand the topics and questions, but the...reactions2comments
Clinical Trials as a Treatment OptionWhen you’re dealing with a major health issue or condition, it’s helpful to know that in addition to standard treatment, complementary or alternative medicine, clinical trials may provide another treatment...reactionscomments
Breathing ExercisesFocusing on the breath is a technique used to help calm the mind and reduce stress and anxiety. There are many forms of breathing exercises. In this video, renowned naturopath...reactionscomments
Planning For Self-Care Success: Time ManagementI live in the same house my mother was raised in. It's had a few minor modifications, but we still use my grandmother's pots and pans, and her pictures are...reactionscomments
Ask the Advocates: Receiving a DiagnosisWhen were you diagnosed with AS and how did it initially present itself? I was diagnosed with AS in February of 2018. I initially had symptoms in February of 2017...reactions3comments
Party Like You've Got Spondylitis!This means planning to rest, emphasizing your own boundaries, values, and priorities to maximize personal health and wellness. Holidays and celebrations turn up the social and cultural pressure to make...reactions1comment