Community Voices
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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!).

ByAmber Panagos

Face 0058

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…

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ByRichard Howard

Face 1001

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…

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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…

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ByHillary Norton

Hillary Norton, MD

Hillary Norton, MD is a board certified rheumatologist in Santa Fe, New Mexico and herself an ankylosing spondylitis patient. This is her story.

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ByMichael Smith

Face 0405

Michael Tracy Smith My name is Michael Tracy Smith (a.k.a. Spenser23) I am a Face of AS. This is my story. I was in a stairwell in 30 Rock, (the building, not the sitcom), when I first…

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ByJim Weatherhead

My Surreal and Deeply Emotional Day

I did not see this coming. I bubbled up with tears of joy as I left a meeting room this afternoon. Here is the story...

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