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!).

ByShane Derbyshire

The Tricky (And Long) Road to Diagnosis

Hi, my name is Shane Derbyshire. I am a chiropractor from Norwich (in the UK) and I was…

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ByPhilip Donlay

Diversion Therapy

I don’t like having Ankylosing Spondylitis. It’s a crummy affliction. It hurts and makes my life miserable, painful, and then I resort to profanity. No really, I literally use every bad word I know and for a…

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ByFion

My AS Is a Chameleon

I started having hip pain that came and went when I was around 26. That was 13 years ago. The pain was so severe that…

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ByHelgi Olafson

Acceptance and Adaptation

Helgi Olafsen is a spondyloarthritis warrior who is also a seasoned trail runner who competes at the highest levels of the sport and uses the exposure he garners to support the causes he believes in. The Triple…

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BySuzanne Knauer 

Overseas Rollercoaster: My COVID-19 Journey 

This is my story about having AS and being infected with COVID-19. 

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ByTom House

I Had COVID-19

I had COVID-19. Here is how that went. 

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