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Richard Howard

We Count Things That Are Important

Did you count your steps today? Are you more mindful of your steps now that you have been counting them? This is weird, but I count people in a room. It’s a habit I was taught. I started working with kids when I was fourteen. As a camp counselor, youth groups counselor, teacher and as a director of informal education and camps, when you’re loading the bus coming back from a beach trip, you better know that you have everyone. When you’re working with teens on a camping trip, you better not be missing two at any time. I’m also pretty… Read More »We Count Things That Are Important

Why Walk?

Why walk? Walking can be really tough. There was a time when my AS felt horrible after walking, even high impact activity such as running felt better. When you have a spondylitis disease, any and all activity feels completely out of the question at times. There are days when I force myself to do exercise and I’m still a ball of pain. Flares can be very stubborn. If it feels so bad to move, why do it? Because it feels worse not to. Every time I’ve given myself a break from exercise, it’s made me feel worse and flares last… Read More »Why Walk?

Spondylitis Awareness Matters – Instagram/Twitter Campaign

Spreading awareness for a disease helps in all sorts of ways. Ask the ‘ice bucket’ people. For Spondylitis, awareness improves lives. Everyone ‘walking their AS off’ already understands this and has their own story to share. April is Spondylitis Awareness Month Saturday, May 2, 2015 is World AS Day Please join the Spondylitis awareness campaign this month and have a chance to win an ipad mini!  In my position at SAA and as a support group leader, I’m exposed to a lot of reasons. What happens when people are unaware? People ‘self medicate’ with alcohol and drug abuse. People break their neck with… Read More »Spondylitis Awareness Matters – Instagram/Twitter Campaign

I'm Mad As Hell!

I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore! Frankly, this isn’t something that I get ‘mad as hell’ about. Perhaps I should. Decisions are being made about which medicine you have access to. It’s not based on science. It’s not based on evidence. It’s not your doctor’s decision. You do have a choice. Your choice is ‘take it or leave it.’ If you can afford to pay nearly $20,000USD a year for medicine, then you have more choices. ‘Advocacy’ and ‘public policy’ doesn’t usually stir much anger or emotion from me. Perhaps they should. In states… Read More »I'm Mad As Hell!