Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group getting to know you

What is your favorite hobby/activity or what was your favorite hobby/activity before A.S took it away from you?

I like to garden, play poker and cook. I used to be very athletic, but A.S has taken all of that away outside of watching on t.v. or local games. I was an all state athelete in high school. I played baseball, basketball and soccer.

Skiing!!!

last time i went skiing i think i was bedridden for days, havent hit the slopes in 4 years ><;

I still cycle often.. its rough but @least im in the caveman posture on the bike, and its low impact altho i have been almost hit by many cars cuz i cant look over my shoulder, just nose to the pavement and get the sweat on!
Funny thing is,, since AS emerged in my life, i love to sweat on my bike, its the rare times i feel normal.

I always liked to go on long bike rides,long walks with my dog,swimming,working on cars,fishing.Now i cant even ride a bike,long walks are down to around the block(if i make it that far).Cant crawl under a car or reach into the engine department.Can only kick around in water now,cant move body to swim.
I think i really miss long walks the most,and walking normal.
Life is still good,just have to be thankfull for what i am able to do.
All the best
John

hiking, but hope to be doing it again soon someday!

"What is your favorite hobby/activity or what was your favorite hobby/activity before A.S took it away from you?"

AS/autoimmune diseases, has taken away from me the ability to communicate/socialize with people. I use to like to do menza puzzles, now I finding myself negatively challenged when doing them.

Now I have a service dog, who helps me get out, and socialize. Life with AS/autoimmune diseases is not easy.

Hugs from Gerri
and kisses from Makaylah (my service dog)

Fun topic!!!

I used to exercise like crazy. Loved it. Used to make jewelry, but my wrists have been the first thing to fuse, making my hands weak and painful. I still make a little, 20 minutes at a time, until my hands cramp up. But yeah, the thing I miss most is just being able to do normal stuff with my kids like walk, jog, ride a bike, swim, pick them up, give tight hugs.





Thank you thank you John for your good attitude. I needed to hear that today!


I can relate to what you are saying about swimming. I don't drown, but I don't travel anywhere when I swim!! Why is that?? Can I just not move fast enough with my arms and legs??? lol. Tried to race my hubby in the pool. He took off and eventually I switched to walking my way to the end of the pool!! lol. I was going nowhere.

I can still wander about a golf course and still love it, although it ain't too pretty to watch, its fun and its social time spent with good friends and a laugh or two.

I loved baseball, even when AS fused my hips but left my spine mobile and my shoulder undamaged at that time I loved to throw a baseball or just hop in a batting cage. Would give a lot just ot stand on a pitcher's mound and throw a curve ball or two for laughs. I guess its not the ned of the world and at 40+ wouldn't be able to do it well anymore with or without AS just stinks that it was ripped away so young.

I played indoor soccer and got together with friends for impromptu (and planned) dodgeball games. I miss that.

But the biggest hobby I look forward to getting back is playing -- really playing -- with my 5 and 6 year old boys. I used to throw a mean spiral and always imagined teaching them that.

I live 5 blocks from the elementary school, but I can't rely on consistently being able to save gas and walk the kids to and from school. Each time I do it, I seem to pay. Tonight I have to get to the Jazz concert early so I don't have to sit on the bleachers in the gym. But early means more sitting or standing and waiting and that hurts, too.

I haven't skied in over 20 years and now that we live in the snow and my kids are being exposed to it, I can't take them or join them on field trips.

Micki, I would do anything to avoid sitting on bleachers. Can you take a cushion to sit on? Sometimes the last, topmost bleachers are up against the wall, so that you have something to lean back on. I will be thinking about you.