Diagnosed at 53, forced to retire

The Scotsman profiles Campbell Barr, who was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis 10 years ago, at the age of 53. He was forced to retire as a result, but Barr lives an active enough lifestyle that his symptoms, at least as far as the article makes them out, appear to be minor. It's interesting to see someone diagnosed in their fifties -- long past the age at which most of us are diagnosed. I would have thought it impossible. Shows what I know.