Jess' story
“Having the disease has been tough as I'm only in my 20s but I'm determined to find my love for the gym (and) get my fitness up”.
Sport and fitness were once a huge part of Jessica’s life. Growing up in Maldon, she has dedicated herself to a variety of activities over the years, including the gym and netball. Previously a “gym bunny”, she used to spend more time in the gym or on the court than at home!
In March 2023, and only in her early 20s, Jessica was diagnosed with a lifelong autoimmune disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). AS is a long-term condition in which the spine and other areas of the body become inflamed. Symptoms can include back pain and stiffness, pain and swelling in other parts of the body – caused by inflammation of the joints - and extreme tiredness.
AS affects Jessica’s ability to move and has been known to leave her bed ridden for days at a time. Thankfully, she has since been granted treatment in the form of biologics which has given her the chance to be mobile again without crutches.
“Having the disease has been tough as I'm only in my 20s but I'm determined to find my love for the gym (and) get my fitness up”, she says.
Jessica wishes to resume playing netball again and hopefully participate in a class to meet new people. She’d also like to make use of the pool, as a low impact exercise, “swimming is fantastic for people with AS and joint problems.”
Her overriding goal for 2024 is to reignite her passion for fitness, whilst improving both her mobility and general cardiovascular health. She’s particularly looking forward to swimming, as this non-weight-bearing exercise is easy on the joints and makes for a safer workout.
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