Not Today! – Ben’s message to ankylosing spondylitis
Ben experienced a series of blows in a short space of time but coped brilliantly with both ankylosing spondylitis and diabetes. He is currently at a six month conservation internship in the Peruvian Amazon jungle (as you can see in the video!) and is absolutely loving it, telling AS ‘Not Today!’ on a daily basis.
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Life with an Invisible Illness
Two university students talk about the struggles of living with an invisible illness – axial spondyloarthritis and inflammatory bowel disease – sharing their personal experience and advice.
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On tour with ankylosing spondylitis: my story and music
I’ve loved and played music for as long as I can remember… and I won’t let my ankylosing spondylitis diagnosis get in the way of it.
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Taking back control from ankylosing spondylitis
Even with right medical treatment for ankylosing spondylitis it can be easy to lose control of your life and develop unhealthy habits. Sometimes it can spiral out of control and lead to a point where it seems there’s no return. Adam managed to come back from what appeared to be a hopeless situation and managed to transform both his body and life. His story not only shows that it’s never too late to get back in control, but also underlines the importance of professional support and healthy lifestyle in AS.
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parkrun for people with ankylosing spondylitis
Parkruns are fun and sociable opportunities for people with ankylosing spondylitis to participate in some physical activity. They are free 5k events, coordinated entirely by local volunteers, that take place every Saturday morning in 540 parks and open spaces across the UK. Parkrun is open to everyone and is whatever you want it to be – you can walk, run or volunteer – and each event finishes with a chat and a cuppa.
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Work with ankylosing spondylitis: importance of a safety net.
I thought it might be helpful for some of you, younger folks, just embarking on the world of full time employment if I give you my personal story of tackling the abyss of full time work with ankylosing spondylitis. Especially, as recently this has had affected my job considerably.
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Ankylosing spondylitis, it’s not a competition!
Ankylosing spondylitis is not a competition – seems pretty simple, right? It is is a cruel condition. An invisible disease. If you read this, you probably live with it and endure it in your individual way. There is no one piece of advice that can apply to everyone, as everyone has different tolerances, and everyone’s condition develops in different ways. However, we all need to do the most we can to try and keep healthy.
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Diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. Journey to accepting myself again.
When I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis five years ago, I was far from accepting it. All I wanted was to be ‘normal’. At first, I kept the diagnosis to myself as I struggled to come to terms with it, let alone admitting it out loud. I felt that people around me already don’t understand my pain and limitations. I believed they were unlikely to understand the diagnosis as well.
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University and ankylosing spondylitis: juggling the work load and the pain
I absolutely love being a student. I’ve met some of my best friends at Uni (one of whom I’m going to be a bridesmaid for in the summer!). However, studying at University with ankylosing spondylitis can be exhausting, both physically and mentally, this is my experience…
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Ankylosing spondylitis did not beat me, it made me stronger and fitter!
I have been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis 20 years ago. I was a young guy but unfit, lazy and heavier than I am now. Who knew that AS would be a blessing in disguise. It turned out to be my driver and motivation to keep stronger and fitter.
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