Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

The Background

For over 10 years I have lived hand in hand with an auto-immune disease known as Axial Spondylitis or Axial Spa for short. What is it you might ask? Well, the short answer would be a progressive and degenerative attack on the body since the immune system is out of control and overreacting.

Symptoms usually start in a person's late teens or early twenties and these symptoms can make it hard to do everyday activities, like putting on shoes, driving a car, or looking after children.

People living with axial SpA often find themselves unable to work, and an estimated 10-40% of people will retire 9.5 years earlier than the general population. Depression is also prevalent and affects 59% of people with the condition.

AK has no known cure and every year will bring new issues since it never sleeps.  The only known effective treatments are immune suppressants known as TNF blockers. 

However, there are ways to reduce the pain and one such way which I find effective is COLD-WATER immersion.

Cold Water

Coldwater immersion (Ishnaan) is similar to cold or hot techniques stemming from Yogic tradition which have been used for centuries but have recently become popularised during the lockdown and also through the popularity of the iceman known as Wimhof. Some people believe that it is crazy or can lead to colds or ill health but it has now been proven that the health benefits is remarkable. I for one feel a great sense of calm when immersed in freezing cold water, time literally stands still and the body adjusts to the experience in the most incredible way.

"The saying in hydrotherapy is "shield yourself." In hydrotherapy, they think that water is a fatherly shield, paanee pita, and that anybody who can produce this shield that conquers the coldness of the water can conquer death. That's what hydrotherapy is based on. It's a very simple thing. If I, with my body, can conquer the chilliness of the water, I can take away the chilliness of my life." Yogic Guru

Who I am raising money for?

Every penny you donate will help The National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society to provide specialist support, advice, and the most up-to-date information to empower everyone living with AXIAL SpA (AS) to manage their condition. It will also help raise awareness of the condition and help more people live well with the condition sooner.

It is the only charity in the UK dedicated to transforming the diagnosis and care of people living with axial SpA.

The Challenge

I have regularly dipped into the icy cold waters mainly in Germany where I used to live under the watchful eye of my wife, however, I have never carried out consecutive immersions especially in the depths of winter. My challenge will be 30 consecutive days during the coldest month of the year, in my swimming shorts, in the English Channel. To get out of bed on a cold, wet, dark day and know that I have to get into the sea will be the hardest part of the challenge, the swimming is the easy part!

Social

You can follow my progress, shivers, red-skinned body via Instagram @patrickfrostmedia or via this webpage.

Please, please, please donate and help others come to terms with this dis "ease" through the help of NASS. Thank you. Patrick