People with AS in the news

Boston Globe: Ellyn Robinson, a 42-year-old associate professor of exercise physiology who runs marathons and triathlons, is also a competitive weightlifter: she competes this month at the World Masters championship in Hungary. She was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis in 2000.

Willoughby News-Herald: 22-year-old Hilary Petersen of Mentor, Ohio ran a five-mile race only a year after being diagnosed with AS (see also).

Newham Recorder: Danny Branham, 49, is the latest persion with AS whose prognosis improved dramatically after being injected with TNF blockers to be featured by the British media.

Montgomery County Sentinel: Despite diagnoses of ankylosing spondylitis and sarcoidosis, Deserie Johnson, 36, still managed to put out a CD of beat poetry.

Bryan Gunn

A profile of Bryan Gunn, who, despite being diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis at age 28, continued to play football/soccer for the Norwich City Football Club until he was 35.

Left field for the Corsicana Tigers

The Daily Sun of Corsicana, Texas profiles a local baseball player with ankylosing spondylitis: Aaron Bland plays left field for the Corsicana Tigers.

Woosnam continues to struggle with AS

Ian Woosnam's AS is continuing to cause him problems on the golf course. Some quotes: "I can't walk properly and if you can't play if you can't walk. ... I just can't get rid of it -- it's been a long time now. Just walking to the practice ground I'm knackered and after hitting 20 balls I am out of breath. ... It's like cramp and I keep going into spasm. I feel like I've got to go flat out just to swing and I'm not going to play again until I feel better. ... I wake up one day and can swing fine, but then the next I just don't have the movement." He's on anti-TNF therapy, but he's still having trouble; I wonder if his game is simply too hard on him.

Previously: Woosnam's golf tournament prep disrupted by AS; Ian Woosnam, OBE; Woosnam, on anti-TNF therapy, is one stroke off the lead; Ian Woosnam and ankylosing spondylitis

Update, May 1: He's pulled out of the Italian Open as a result of his most recent problems.

Chris Small now coaching

Retired snooker player (and AS sufferer) Chris Small is now coaching young snooker players, the Glasgow Herald reports in an article that also takes a broader look at Small's career and illness.

Previously: Chris Small denied financial assistance by snooker body; Chris Small profile; Chris Small benefit auction; Chris Small update; Chris Small; AS and sports.

Woosnam's golf tournament prep disrupted by AS

Pro golfer Ian Woosnam's AS acted up yesterday, disrupting his preparations for the U.S. Masters golf tournament this month. Whose bright idea was it to put a golf tournament in the middle of flare season?

Previously: Ian Woosnam, OBE; Woosnam, on anti-TNF therapy, is one stroke off the lead; Ian Woosnam and ankylosing spondylitis.