Northern Great Plains
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Meetings offer education, encouragement, emotional support, and allow for open discussion about managing and living with spondyloarthritis.

Upcoming Meeting(s)

Tuesday, May 16, 2023
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM CDT

Virtual meeting, using Zoom.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85415558755?pwd=Qld1ZVRodUhFUi9paGlXQm5hV2ViUT09

Meeting ID: 854 1555 8755
Passcode: 501574

Social Media

Join our social media channels:

Facebook: @spondylitis 

Twitter: @spondylitis 

Instagram: @spondylitis 

YouTube: Spondylitis

LinkedIn: Spondylitis Association of America

Topic: Roundtable Discussion

Leadership

Tawnya Stroot Photo

Tawnya Stroot

About Tawnya, Northern Great Plain's Support Group Leader

I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis April of 2016. I had been having lower back pain, leg pain, and the growth of many bone spurs in my feet. I had visited many doctors. No one could figure out what was wrong. My family doctor referred me to the Mayo Clinic. After a number of tests, the rheumatologist at Mayo told me that I have AS. I was started on biologics and NSAIDs. To this date, I have been on four different biologics, and have had an allergic reaction to all four of them. I have decided to take a bit of a break from them before I try another one.

I am a wife, a mother of three, and a Nana to five. My husband is a big support for me. My youngest (age 23) also has AS. I work as a paraprofessional at the local middle school. It keeps me moving but also allows me to sit if I need.

I feel that there is a great need for a support group in the Great Plains. I would like to make more people aware of what ankylosing spondylitis is. I would like to be there to support others, to talk to if they need, or just to let others know that there are many like them. I also like meeting new people sharing my knowledge and learning new information with/from other people. I look forward to meeting you soon.

Hope you are having the best day that you can.

Want to Start a New Support Group?

We’d love to have you join our team of passionate volunteers leading our spondylitis educational support groups! Learn more about how to get started here, and reach out to programs@spondylitis.org