Nicole Maher
I began to experience chronic pain while in college at The Ohio State University. I found myself unable to participate in the sports I once loved, and sometimes unable to walk to class, due to back, hip, and knee pain. After years of being told it was âall in my head,â I made a promise to myself. I would not stop until I found an answer to why my body felt much older than it was. I knew this was not normal, and the joint swelling was evidence it was not “all in my head.” After months of testing and visits to multiple specialists, I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis in November 2014 at the age of 23. I hope that with treatment, I will one day be able to live pain-free.
Florida, United States of America
-Nicole Maher
The Faces Of Ankylosing Spondylitis 
Dear Nicole,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
Sincerely Cookie