Around 1 in 200 people in the UK live with axial Spondyloarthritis, or axial SpA for short, a painful, progressive form of inflammatory arthritis associated with severe physical limitation, functional impairment, and decreased quality of life. There is currently no cure. Axial SpA is more common than MS and Parkinson's combined, and yet public awareness remains low, and there are multiple challenges in treatment, including an average 8.5-year delay to diagnosis. I'm putting my best foot forward to raise vital funds for NASS, and help provide specialist support, advice and the most up-to-date information to empower people with axial SpA (AS) to manage their condition. Please dig deep and sponsor me generously!

I was diagnosed with axial SpA on the last day of 2019 and so much of my treatment and interactions with health care professionals has been online, or by telephone, or much delayed. As many NHS resources have been redeployed to deal with the global pandemic, people like me have increasingly had to turn to charities for support (no shade on the NHS here, they are and always will be a beacon of humanity). The NASS website, helpline and forum has been incredibly helpful in teaching me more about my condition and how to cope with it. 

I have decided to walk the equivalent of the length of the Cornish Coast Path (300 miles) before the Summer Solstice this year. An average of 2 miles a day may not seem a challenge to a lot of people, but for people living with AS, mobility can be a huge issue. 

Although pandemic restrictions will mean that I can't walk the actual coast path, I will update with where I would be if I could! I will 'begin' at Cremyll ferry point and walk clockwise around Cornwall until 'reaching' the Devon/Cornwall border near Hartland Point. 

I made it!!! 300 miles!!!