Columns

October 2, 2019September 27, 2019

Anger Is a Natural Response to Chronic Illness

A Wellness Journey - a Column by Lisa Marie Basile, Columns

I’ve kept this column positive for a while now, not only for you, my readers, but also for myself. If I keep my head up and find the wisdom ... Read more

September 25, 2019September 30, 2019

Canceling on Friends: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

A Wellness Journey - a Column by Lisa Marie Basile, Columns

It’s easy to say that if people can’t understand us, we should just forget ’em. Unfortunately, people like — and to some extent need — their friends and family. ... Read more

July 24, 2019July 22, 2019

Here Are Some Inspiring AS Instagram Accounts to Follow

A Wellness Journey - a Column by Lisa Marie Basile, Columns

When you’re searching for others who understand the AS experience, you probably want to see something real — not something sanitized or generated by pharmaceutical groups. There comes a ... Read more

July 17, 2019July 16, 2019

I Hiked Too Hard and Pushed Myself Too Far — and That’s OK

A Wellness Journey - a Column by Lisa Marie Basile, Columns

The other day, my friends, my boyfriend, and I traveled from New York City, where I live, to Minnewaska State Park Preserve in New York State. And I’m glad ... Read more

July 3, 2019June 28, 2019

On Getting Defensive About Living with a Chronic Disease

A Wellness Journey - a Column by Lisa Marie Basile, Columns

Some people just don’t get it. Maybe others try, but the majority don’t. If you don’t live with a chronic or degenerative disease, it can be hard to wrap ... Read more

June 26, 2019June 21, 2019

3 Things I’ve Learned About Traveling with Ankylosing Spondylitis

A Wellness Journey - a Column by Lisa Marie Basile, Columns

Travel is particularly brutal when I’m in a flare-up. When I’m feeling OK, it’s still hard but more manageable. With a partner whose family lives in Brazil and the ... Read more

June 19, 2019June 17, 2019

When Pain Becomes Your Constant Friend

A Wellness Journey - a Column by Lisa Marie Basile, Columns

I realize that the title of this column is hyperbolic, but it contains an element of truth. I often think about how we get to know our daily pain ... Read more

June 12, 2019June 18, 2019

Mind Over Matter: Can Optimism Change Our Disease?

A Wellness Journey - a Column by Lisa Marie Basile, Columns

As a poet myself, it warms my heart to have learned that Simon Armitage, the U.K.’s new poet laureate, has ankylosing spondylitis (AS). I know of few writers who ... Read more

May 1, 2019April 29, 2019

Three Morning Rituals for Ankylosing Spondylitis Support

A Wellness Journey - a Column by Lisa Marie Basile, Columns

I am a big fan of ritualized living. I even wrote a book about it, “Light Magic for Dark Times,” which includes a chapter on body and identity, largely ... Read more

April 24, 2019April 23, 2019

On Learning to Find a Balance While Being Chronically Ill

A Wellness Journey - a Column by Lisa Marie Basile, Columns

I left a really challenging job situation last year. The job was making me physically sicker and sicker, like the blood in my veins was slowly draining. My ankylosing ... Read more