Keep going, there’s a hope in motion!
After looking at maps for hours, I developed a desire to go out there, explore and discover. So, in 2009 I decided to cycle from Switzerland to China. Since then I’ve cycled more than 40,000km, crossed 28 countries, exchanged thousands of smiles and fulfilled many incredible dreams!
However, my world was shaken last year. I discovered a new companion in my life called ankylosing spondylitis.
The Gorilla In Your House
Acquiring a disability is a bit like getting home to find there’s a gorilla in your house. You contact the approved and official channels to get rid of infestations of wild animals (in this case, the NHS) and they umm and aah and suck air in through their teeth before saying something roughly equivalent to “what you’ve got ‘ere, mate, is a gorilla, and there ain’t really a lot what we can do about them, see…” before sending you back home to the gorilla’s waiting arms.
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Ankylosing Spondylitis may be a curse, but it’s not your Azkaban
Do you remember that scene in “Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone” when Hermione says Petrificus Totalus and Neville’s body becomes stiff and rigid just before he falls to the ground? Being diagnosed with a disease can feel like this. Like a curse has been cast upon you and paralysed you. Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) especially so, given its hallmark symptoms of pain and stiffness.
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Deducing my Ankylosing Spondylitis
As I am a 17 years old, in my years of youth, I basically think I know everything about everything, (as every teen does) but, I can honestly admit, I had not a clue what ankylosing spondylitis was until a few years ago when, ironically, my knowledge expanded.
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Mind Management
By reading this, you’re probably hoping to hear a positive story you can connect with. By reading this, you perhaps feel the need to be inspired or be given directions to follow. But by reading this, you have already taken the first steps down your own path, as you’ve decided to seek help, learn about your condition or take comfort in knowing you’re not alone. So give yourself some credit, you’ve done well.
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Managing your ankylosing spondylitis
Unfortunately you can’t cure ankylosing spondylitis but you can successfully manage it following steps below. We’ll get in more detail on every aspect of treatment, but for now enjoy those top tips for managing your AS.
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Top 10 best exercises for ankylosing spondylitis
If you’re still not sure what kind of exercises you want to do for your AS, here’s a choice of the top 10 best kinds of physical activity for you.
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