Having AS has presented many opportunities for me to throw up my hands and give in to my disease. I know that if I do this it WILL get the best of me and staying positive is the only way to move forward. I know I must live “with” AS but refuse to ever live “for” it. I may not be able to completely control what will happen. Will I ever live pain-free? Will I completely fuse? Why me? So many questions run through my head as they do for many AS patients. We MUST all realize how strong we are! We may no longer have the physical strength but our mind and hearts must stay strong and never give up.
I put together a list of “I CANS” about a year after my diagnosis and I thought I would share it with everyone. I will admit that the first year of my diagnosis was one of shock and lack of acceptance. I quickly learned that I wanted more than just to be a person with this disease and that is when I chose to battle Ankylosing Spondylitis head on. My hope for you is that some items will help inspire you to stay strong and continue moving forward.
- I CAN live life with AS
- I CAN be thankful for my husband’s support
- I CAN hug and kiss my children daily even if it means not being a hard squeeze every day
- I CAN be strong even if my physical body is not
- I CAN be beautiful even with thinning hair and bruises
- I CAN smile at others
- I CAN love God and know he is there for me
- I CAN envy the “healthy” without being critical
- I CAN do something even if I cannot do everything
- I CAN love with all my heart
- I CAN help others even when I feel helpless
- I CAN and will be my biggest advocate
- I CAN accept I have Ankylosing Spondylitis
- I CAN be afraid of what will happen
- I CAN be okay with not having all the answers
- I CAN have less painful days
- I CAN cry
- I CAN wonder why me
- I CAN stay positive
- I CAN inspire and be inspired
- I CAN be a fighter
- I CAN learn as much as possible about AS
- I CAN have a successful future
- I CAN share my AS story and experience
- I CAN help spread AS awareness
What a powerful and inspiring list Mandy! I’m sure you are helping so many others!…So proud of you and THANKFUL to have had you for a friend for the last (almost) 30 years!…and looking forward to 30 more (or more than 30!)!!! Love you!
Sandy – You are an amazing person and your words mean so much to me! It’s crazy that after almost 30 yrs of friendship you are still one of my biggest supporters and I realize how lucky I am to have you in my life! Love you! You mean the world to me! xoxo
My daughter was diagnosed a year ago also, and is just starting to come to terms with it. God bless you for your honesty and remember that we are on this earth to help each other. I wish you peace on your journey
Pauline- I wish all the best to your daughter, and to you. It really was hard for me to accept having AS. I didn’t like that something could possibly try to control me (as silly as that may sound), but once I did is when I set out to learn as much as possible about AS. Thank you so much for your support!
Bravo! Great list! May I share a link with this on the Spondyville Facebook page?
Thank you so much! I would be honored if you would share the link on Spondyville’s facebook page. I am a daily follower of the Spondyville facebook page. I enjoy seeing where the snowman visits
Thank you for the support!
That is really lovely but as well very powerful inspiration for all of us, Yes we can, in our case it is not an empty can only, we all are able to do many unbelievable things to have full-value lives! Let us go on! Mirek
Mirek – I really do believe optimism is important when it comes to AS. I can remember when I was first diagnosed how hopeless I felt. To be honest, I can still have some down days but I just push on. It was not until I met/spoke w/others that had AS also that I really felt I was going to make it and that having AS does not define me. Wishing you a pain-free day!
What an Inspiring story!! It’s so good to know we’re not alone, and that we can help each other. I was diagnosed 6 years ago.
I wish you a pain free day.
Hedy – Thank you so much! Wishing you a pain-free day as well!
I love it !! So inspiring.. I need to post that on my mirror, in my car, in my office, etc…
Tmi – Thank you so much! I appreciate your support!
Good For You! Way To Go!
Lisa – Thank you so much for your support! I appreciate it!
A person like myself well done Ive been suffering 49 years diagnosed 26 posotive attitude is the best way to go good luck keep it up.
Kevin
Kevin – I am sorry to hear you have been suffering for so long. I am glad to hear that after 49 yrs you agree that the positive attitude pays off. Being that this is just the beginning of my AS adventure (diagnosed in 2008) I really value the words of other AS’ers experience and advice. I really appreciate your support!
Thanks for posting this. Can be very trying and frustrating. Sometimes I just have to laugh at my plight. It can take quite awhile to do anything, at times I will forget what it was that I set out to do!Getting dressed, dropping things Its an adventure/ not a cocktail party! The enjoyment started in 1976 and knew what it was Feb, 2010. Easier to smile than frown:) Loren
I especially like #20
This list is so inspiring and validating at the same time. With so many negative perspectives on AS, it’s just what I need to read when I get a flare up and all the bad times gel into one and I start losing hope for a pain-free day. Thanks for having the courage to create this wonderful website!
After finally being properly diagnosed 11 yrs. with AS your story (after a life time of pain and suffering) sums up the new reality for me just wonderfully . I especially like #21 and #25. Again “Thank You”.