Thank you for posting this. The answer is simple. KA was created by and for people who have AS. It became a reality because of a tragic event in the life of one person. Our founder had a small website with an email group and an online support group of less than 100 members, who exchanged ideas,tears and laughter with those who understood the pain and isolation of a disease that very few knew about. As part of his group, some of us tried to help him keep it going but it was not to be...he was too sick. At the time I found his site I was planning my death in Mexico. The pain plus the ignorance about what was going on inside my body made me wish for freedom even if it meant an end to my life. When you "hit the wall" little matters except a scrap of hope that will keep you going. ASWeb.com was that to me. It took only one day before the plans of a death became a fight to keep the group together. It didn't matter to me one darned bit why people were posting because I had never met anyone who had AS and I was thrilled just to find someone who could tell me what the hell it was. I want almost as crazy with joy as I had with lost hope.
We now have almost 5,000 members who have found something to keep them going as they suffer this God awful disease. Information, laughter, friendship, a shoulder to cry on, a joke to make you laugh, a story to reenforce your faith, it doesn't matter. You will either find something that makes you want to stay or you won't and will leave to continue your quest. If you stay, you will find friends and a reason to fight the good fight. if you leave, you may find the same things in another place. In any case I know I'm not alone in wishing you well.
