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...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
“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...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Surviving Ankylosing Spondylitis: The WorkplaceHow to work it, when your body won't work... If you take a poll of the ankylosing spondylitis community, you will find that employment is a real trouble area. Most...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
My Flare EssentialsI’m currently going through a hip flare-up, so I decided to write this post about my flare go-to’s, or my essentials for getting through a flare. These essential items help...Reactions0reactionsComments10 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Why I Have A Wheelchair: The Game Of "What If's"I am a proud wheelchair owner. I am not, as of yet, a wheelchair user. Why is this? Well, I have my reasons. Living with AS is unpredictable. Good days...Reactions0reactionsComments9 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Brain Fog: More Than ForgetfulnessDo you know what it’s like when your brain is exhausted? We all have been there. You stay up late to work on a project and you start hearing voices...Reactions0reactionsComments11 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
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...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments