Molly’s Story
Anklyosing Spondylitis
For as long as I can remember, I thought exhaustion and pain were just things everyone dealt with. I was always active and motivated, the kind of person who powered through, until my body started sending me signals I couldn’t ignore. What began as stiffness in my back and random flare-ups of pain soon turned into days where even getting out of bed felt like a marathon.
Initially, I was told it was just stress, growing pains, or inflammation from overexertion. I bounced between doctors and specialists, explaining symptoms that didn’t seem to add up neatly on a chart. It was frustrating, not just the pain itself, but the feeling that I was constantly explaining myself and still being misunderstood.
After months (and countless appointments), I finally met a rheumatologist who listened — really listened. Blood tests, imaging, and a long conversation later, I got my diagnosis: ankylosing spondylitis, an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the spine and joints.
It was a strange mix of emotions, relief to finally have answers, but also fear of what that meant for my future. I remember sitting in my car afterward, letting the words sink in, realizing that my life would look different than I had planned — but that different didn’t have to mean less.
Since then, I’ve learned how to listen to my body, advocate for myself, and find community in others who understand the unspoken challenges of autoimmune life. My diagnosis isn’t my identity, it’s just part of my story. And that story has taught me strength, empathy, and the beauty of slowing down to care for yourself in ways you never thought you’d need to.
That’s why I started this space — to share real experiences, raise awareness, and remind others that even on hard days, we are never alone in this.