A.S. Face 0027: Joe Coleman

A.S. Face 0027 : Joe Coleman

My name is Joe Coleman.  Im from Aberdeen in the north of Scotland.  I’ve been diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitus for around 5 years but had problems since I was about 12. I spend a lot of time in denial about AS and lived off an unhealthy amount of painkillers and other self medicators to keep my active lifestyle alive.  Eventually it got to a point where I was unable to do even the simplest tasks without major pain.  Never one to complain, I continued on doing the best I could with work and socializing while my physical activity almost ground to a halt.  Thanks to a very supportive family, rheumatologist and girlfriend I started taking my disease more seriously and got myself on the path to Biological medicine which I eventually got prescribed just over a year ago in the form of the TNA inhibitor Humira.  This has marked a massive turning point in my lifestyle and gave me my precious movement back.  Since then I’ve been determined to use my body for the purpose that it was intended, having a good time.

Skateboarding is a passion of mine “Arent you a bit old for that?”.  We never grow out of having fun.  Despite my pincushion lifestyle I don’t resent or
deny my AS as I used to.  It’s given me a balanced, humble view of the world and has forced me to be a patient and appreciative person.  Always look on the bright side eh…?

Aberdeen in Bonnie Scotland