Shirley Shanks
My name is Shirley Darlene Shanks. It was summer of 2010, I was 29 years old when I received my diagnoses.After years of back pain,that then went to neck,and body pain. I can remember my back hurting even at age 13. I have been to several Doctors,Chiropractors,ER Rooms crying for help with my pain.I have had tons of ex rays 2 MRIs all that apparently showed I was healthy. I finally insisted on seeing a specialist,My family doc referred me to a bone specialist who did blood work ,better x rays and in my second visit my AS diagnosis. I cried when the bone specialist gave me my diagnoses,mainly because every other doc I had seen treated me like a healthy young person that isn’t suppose to hurt.I’m still hurting,but I’m doing better because i have more knowledge of whats going on with my body.
Greenfield, Ohio U.S.A.
Dear Shirley,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. You are right about knowledge, the only way to have the best life possible is to educate your self, advocate for your self and be your own best friend!
Sincerely Cookie