SpA Warrior Stories

SpA Warrior Stories “It’s just a sprain. It’ll go away. It’s nothing.” I thought I simply had a back sprain from playing squash. I dismissed the painful inflammation that began to spread from my back to my neck and shoulders. I became frustrated and annoyed at the limitations these flares…

It has been 30 years since I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis in 1991. Prior to diagnosis I went through ten awful years that those living with axial spondyloarthritis will be familiar with: painful days and more painful, sleepless nights; a search for answers (pre-Internet) while being bounced around between…

I know what you’re already thinking…terms like Ankylosing Spondylitis and Enteropathic Arthritis are hard enough to pronounce and this guy has a name that looks like hieroglyphics! It’s easy. It’s pronounced “Me-High Jur-X” , not so bad! I’ve been living with AS for basically my entire adult life. It’s been…

SpA Warrior Stories Meet Raj from the UK. He is the Chair of NASS, patient advocate and motivated to not let AS define him. Diagnosed in his early 20’s Raj was told he would likely be in a wheel chair in 10 years. Watch his inspiring video sharing how he…

SpA Warrior Stories Former Canadian Spondyloarthritis Assocation board member, Bjillian describes her first symptoms and how the pain progression happened. She also describes how she deals with the disease on a daily basis and how it impacts her life.

SpA Warrior Stories For the hundreds of thousands of Canadians with inflammatory arthritis, the road to effective treatment can be rocky. Arthritis comes in many forms beyond the rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis we’re all familiar with. For those with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), one of a larger group of conditions known…

SpA Warrior Stories Canadian Spondyloarthritis Assocation’s member Dawn tells her story about how Ankylosing Spondylitis affects her life. She also describes her road to diagnoses and how it made her feel.

I want every young person to know that arthritis doesn’t have to derail your life. Ten years ago, after graduating with a degree in Kinesiology at the age of 21 I was feeling excited and optimistic about my future. I was hired for my first full time job as a…

SpA Warrior Stories My journey with arthritis started at only 2 years of age. Random rashes turned into inexplicable sore joints and fatigue. Years and many medical appointments later, I was (finally) diagnosed at the age of 11 with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis as well as Enthesitis-related Arthritis by a specialist…

SpA Warrior Stories “God gives challenges to those who are strong enough to overcome them” ~ Unknown It was a particularly bad flare, not too long ago, when my mom turned to me quite randomly and asked, “do you remember what it feels like to not have back pain?” My response, “no.”…