I am a 35 year old female. I was struck with AS in my early teens. Originally diagnosed with Chron's disease. By my early twenties my back was beginning to fuse. At 24 I was diagnosed by a chiropractor at that point I started seeing a rheumatologist and began treatment.  Shortly thereafter I lost movement in my neck as it fused. The ten years have been extremely painful at times when the fusion is happening in different joints. My entire spine is fused and I have had several cases of iritis. My spine is now brittle. 

    In the past year and a half I have also faced tougher battles. I have fallen off of a stage and due to the brittle nature of my bones I broke my neck and became paralyzed.  I lost my legs, my left arm and my right hand. After a year of therapy I regained my arm and hand. I was beginning to walk again using a walker. I was well on my way to a full recovery.  

    Unfortunately a month ago I fell and once again I broke my back. This time fracturing my T9 vertebrae.  Due to my messed up back it was hard for an ordinary scan reader to catch. Despite 4 ER visits I went undiagnosed for a week and a half. PAINFUL! A hematoma formed on my spinal cord and once again I lost my legs. 

      During my 15 + years with AS I have seen and been through some stuff. I'm looking to help others by answering any questions I can and looking foward to be encouraged by others.