Meetings offer education, encouragement, emotional support, and allow for open discussion about managing and living with spondyloarthritis.
Texas has three spondylitis support groups, in Dallas, Austin and The Woodlands. In September we’ll have our first ever combined virtual meeting of all three groups! No need to travel – this is a virtual meeting using Zoom.
Virtual meeting, using Zoom!
Contact Iain McDonald via email for an invite, at iain.m@juno.com.
If you are in the Dallas area please join our Dallas Spondylitis Support Group Facebook page to connect with other Spondylitis folks in the area: DFW Spondy Friends
After we spend some time introducing ourselves, we’ll watch part of a video available from SAA called Back in Action, Again. Don’t you just love to exercise sitting down? YES! Come log in and see how you can relax those sore areas of the neck, back and hips. I think everyone will learn something. Wear something comfortable, but by using Zoom from your living room that should be easy.
I was diagnosed formally with AS in 2014. After having issues with my hips, back, and knees for two decades, I had my first major flare in 2014 that lead to my ankylosing spondylitis diagnosis. Since my diagnosis I have embarked on a journey in fitness and diet to help along with my biological medication to fight the disease. I have since gone on to compete in power lifting and now body building to help raise awareness of the struggle others face with this disease. I try to advocate any chance I can. I am hoping to bring a positive attitude and motivation to the group meetings as well as spread information and awareness to other warriors fighting spondylitis.
I have been fairly active throughout my life. Playing sports in high school, working on cars, running, etc. What originally was a lower back pain due to a car accident, would later turn out to be Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). At the time, I was just diagnosed with lower back pain. Over time, I would have occasional flare ups from inflammation, which I just assumed was soreness from working out or over doing it in the yard.
After many years of pain in different areas, I was accurately diagnosed in 2005. Throughout this time, I had seen several doctors, and had taking numerous CT scans, and MRIs. It was not until a nurse suggested that I see a Rheumatologist that I was properly diagnosed.
I am passionate about health and feel we should help others by listening to and perhaps helping them understand the disease more. My aim is to increase awareness on AS and all related complications and to help support one another, finding better ways to cope with challenges we face. Additionally, helping to support our younger members and those, recently diagnosed, to acclimate to the changes we all have to make to maintain our mobility and decrease the impact of this disease. I believe that the more knowledge and exposure we can gain and disseminate on AS, the stronger the impact we can make on finding a cure, or at least a solution to some of the areas that challenge us. Stay strong AS Warriors.
Lynda Kingsley is a north Texas artist who has dealt with spondylitis and misdiagnosis for over 20 years. She formerly helped run her family business with her husband and 3 children in Las Cruces, New Mexico for 27 years. When she became ill and could find little help for pain, fatigue and limitations, she knew she would have to retire from their business. She went back to school, taking two classes at a time, and received a BFA in studio art. Now she teaches watercolors and paints for design studios and residential customers while on a schedule that accommodates her spondylitis issues. She lives in the Historic District of McKinney, Texas with three rescued Basset Hounds and her husband, a professor at Southern Methodist University.
My spondylitis diagnosis developed following an unusual course which began with a colon infection and subsequent development of reactive arthritis in 2002, leading eventually to the diagnosis of undifferentiated spondylitis in 2004. I prefer exploring alternative therapies to alleviate my pain and inflammation and to prevent the disease from progressing, and my medications of choice are low-dose naltrexone and plaquenil.
A professional musician, researcher and writer, and a former adjunct college music professor, I am committed to staying active through my disease and pain. Among my passions are my two herding dogs, and currently I run competitive dog agility with my border collie.
I enjoy reading medical journals and I believe knowledge is our empowerment.
We’d love to have you join our team of passionate volunteers leading our spondylitis educational support groups! Learn more about how to get started here, and reach out to programs@spondylitis.org
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