I have Ankylosing Spondylitis but it doesn't me: An older man has a conversation with his younger self about AS

What would you tell your eighteen-year-old self if you knew you were about to spend the next fifty years living with ankylosing spondylitis? That's the conversation this book begins.At seventy-two, Rocky Henriques looks back on a lifetime with ankylosing spondylitis-a disease that has brought pain, stiffness, frustration, limitations and more than a few unexpected battles. But there is something else he has learned along the way: Ankylosing spondylitis may be part of your life, but it doesn't have to become your life. Written as a conversation with the eighteen-year-old young man he once was, this book offers the wisdom Rocky wishes someone had given him when his journey was just beginning. Inside, you'll discover practical lessons: - Understanding what ankylosing spondylitis is and what it can do - Recognizing symptoms and learning when to seek help - Working with doctors and becoming an informed participant in your own care - The importance of movement, exercise, posture and taking care of your body - Coping with pain, fatigue, discouragement and the limitations a chronic disease can bring - Protecting your relationships, work, dreams and sense of purpose - Adjusting when your body won't cooperate with your plans - Learning to accept help without surrendering your independence - Finding hope when the disease doesn't go away >This is a reminder that a difficult diagnosis does not have to write the ending of your story. If you have recently been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, have lived with it for years, or love someone who has it, these are the things Rocky wishes he could sit down and tell you face to face: You have ankylosing spondylitis. But ankylosing spondylitis does not have to have you. The information contained in this book is for information purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice. The author is not a medical doctor and makes no claims in that regard, but writes from his own experience. You should always consult a medical professional for questions and treatment.