#facesofas

[spondylitis-blog]

Meet A.S. Face Marcella Stewart

     I am a 58 year old retired nurse and diagnosed with AS since the age of 19. I am HLA-B27+ with fused SI joints. I take Enbrel every week.  I’ve had chest pain on inspiration, trochanteric bursitis, iritis, cluster headaches, psoriasis on my right hand, and degenerative joint disease with neuropathy. I have constant back pain, neck cracking and stiffness, and fatigue but I bless God.  I monitor my weight to make sure I don’t gain over 15 lbs from my current weight.  I feel better when I am thinner. I watch what I eat and try to keep my back limber. I can stand and touch the floor with my hands, sit and touch my toes, but I don’t jog, it jars my joints.  I do back exercises,  the elliptical and lift light weights 3-4/week.  I rely on God, my husband, and adult kids for love.  It makes all the difference in the world.  Life is good, I am still here.

San Antonio, Texas, United States of America

[spondylitis-blog]

~My true heart’s desire with Faces of AS, was to make people aware of the reality of this disease, but most of all I wanted to create a place where those who suffer from Ankylosing Spondylitis could be real. I wanted people to remember they are worth the fight for a better quality of life, a happier life and healthier. I wanted them to become their own advocates, and my dream was for them to never forget they are worth it. ~Cookie Hopper

We are thrilled to congratulate Cookie Hopper, creator and protector of The Faces Of Ankylosing Spondylitis project on achieving her HUGE goal of collecting 1,000 personal stories from Ankylosing Spondylitis warriors! It’s a beautiful day for the community, for all 1,000 people who’ve courageously shared their stories of struggle, pain, hope, and strength, and for everyone who’s read those stories and whispered a quiet “me too”. Read Op-ed article on Faces of Ankylosing Spondylitis HERE

[spondylitis-blog]

Ouch that looks uncomfortable.:/ MEET Deverell Dotos. He works daily to not let AS define him. #FacesofAS #ASPatient #OrdinaryPeopleDoingExtroardinaryThings #Inspiration #KeepGoing #Spondylitis #Ankylosing #Arthritis. Read his story at thefacesofankylosingspondylitis.com.