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!).

ByBatya Bilmes Lemler

Escaping the Opioid Jungle

How can I stop using opioids while I still have chronic pain? Sure, the withdrawal is horrible and we always hear about the joy of…

ByAnonymous Author

The Price of Pain Relief

I am a 37 year old female with ankylosing spondylitis. My symptoms began when I was eight years old and I was finally diagnosed at...…

ByAmber Panagos

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Amber Panagos Although my diagnosis is new my disease is not. I’ve had chronic back pain since my early 20’s and it’s been slowly progressing ever since. By the time I hit 30 I refused to accept…

ByRichard Howard

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Richard Howard 9 Days. The approximate number of pain free days in the last 24 years. One would think that I would know for sure how many days. The pains are 24 hours/day. Well, perhaps not 24…

ByTariq Gangari

Never Give In

I can’t remember the exact date, but I remember the night well. It was the crack of dawn when I woke up and looked down to see my right leg hanging off the bed like I was…

ByHillary Norton