Community Voices

Welcome to our virtual community! Start by browsing through the personal stories featured here.

We have organized these stories into two categories: Your Stories – stories sent to us at the Spondylitis Association of America – and selections from The Faces of Ankylosing Spondylitis project.

We’d love your story as well! Send it to us at Programs@spondylitis.org

Tell A Story with SAA Storytellers, Your Stories on Stage! Send Us Your Story Pitch!

Are you interested in being a part of SAA Storytellers, Your Stories on Stage?

SAA is always looking for those in the spondyloarthritis community to tell their story (patients, caregivers, medical personnel, and friends of the community – all are welcome!).

BySara Shaw

Fighting Together

The slums of Kolkata birthed me. She left me in a clinic abandoned and alone. That is how my life began.

ByJeannette Anne Hayes

Jeannette Anne Hayes As many others with ankylosing spondylitis, I’ve become passionate about helping raise awareness. It’s my hope (our hope) that future generations will receive early diagnosis and treatment before permanent damage is done to the…

ByChar

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Char My name is Char and I’m a mom of two of the most amazing daughters on the planet, a wife to my best friend and soul mate, a dancer, a personal trainer, a group fitness instructor…

ByAlan Beaulieu

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Alan Beaulieu My name is Alan Beaulieu. I am 29 years old and was just recently, within the past few months, diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). My story begins like so many others’ that suffer from this…

ByWesley

Wesley

Like any good story from my 20s, my battle with ankylosing spondylitis started while drinking with friends.

BySummer

Summer

My name is Summer. I was diagnosed with AS in 2016 but that was far from the beginning of my journey. It all started 19 years ago, or as best I can figure it did. It always…