Ameo Lynch
My name is Ameo Lynch, 42 yo, from Washington State, USA. I was diagnosed with AS officially in 2014 after struggling with symptoms off and on starting around age 13. I was always athletic but my back and shoulders would cause problems frequently. The medical profession’s response was always “avoid stress and try physical therapy.” I was hit with another illness in Oct 2013 and diagnosed with Sarcoidosis 12/2/13. After treatment, my body was still an inflamed and painful mess. Finally after meeting with a rheumatologist I was diagnosed with AS around May 2014 (it’s all a blur). My life is nowhere near what I thought it would be. I have to plan my activities based on how I’m feeling and how much recovery is needed. I am not able to be as physically active as I’d like, if at all. However, in these last years of illness and discovery I have learned to let go of the little stuff. I do think I’m a stronger person emotionally, but I do miss having physical strength. My greatest fear is not knowing if this will surface in my children.
Washington, United States of America
The Faces Of Ankylosing Spondylitis 
Dear Ameo,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
Sincerely Cookie