A.S. Face 1769: Grace
My name is Grace. I am a 17 year old high school senior.
My symptoms of AS have been very minor for several years-inflamed back and knees from time to time- nothing that warranted much worry.
But in June I started to experience great amounts of pain in my knees and back after any sort of exercise. I shrugged it off and used basic physical therapy and ibuprofen to treat the pain.
In August however, I started marching band camp and quick found that I could not do the simplest things and that anything I did put my back in agony.
My dad took me to his rheumatologist friend, and after NSAIDS, x rays, and an MRI, he diagnosed me with AS.
I’m a musician. I play many instruments, and my AS has affected my ability to play, but I do not let that stop me. In fact at the end of March I played my string bass in the largest theater in Las Vegas in a huge ensemble.
Moving is hard, life is hard, but I move on. This summer I’ll be moving and starting college, where I will continue to play all my instruments and where I will continue to win my battle with AS.
Nevada, United States of America
Dear Grace,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
Sincerely Cookie
Be brave..and keep strong..that’s the only way you will beat this disease