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!).

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…

ByMelissa

Face 1119

My name is Melissa and I am 24. I have suffered from AS for an estimated five years, though I was only diagnosed two years ago.

ByKevin Stevenson

I began experiencing symptoms around the age of 23. Although I had periodically experienced symptoms prior to then, my first distinct memory was when my roommate, some friends and I went to the movies.

ByAmy Hicks

Face 1243

I first began having pain in my very early 20s. I went to my primary doctor, who told me it was a pulled muscle, gave me pain pills and sent me on my way with a “come…

ByStacy Bagal

Running with AS

I am a 64 year old marathon [26.2 miles] runner who was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis in May of 2016. I started to have lower back pain when I was in my late teens. Being an active…