"Ankylosing Spondylitis Course"

I arrived at the RNHRD on the 4 January 2015 and immediately felt at home.Having come down from Glasgow,Scotland with stories from fellow AS sufferer's about the standard of care they received i was expecting great things,within 24 hours i knew i wasn't going to be disappointed! From the first meeting on the Sunday afternoon by a lovely physiotherapist,introduction to fellow patients and shown to the accommodation,i knew id made the right decision to travel that far. The treatment you get from all the highly experienced,knowledgeable staff was first class.The programme from start to finish is well planned,i gained more knowledge not only about Ankylosing Spondylitis but about healthy bones,who knew there was so much to learn,podiatry,loved it even though i hate feet!,pharmacy talk which was amazing and so easy to understand,Occupational Therapy the range of equipment for AS sufferer's was surprising and helpful. The AS pathology talk was very informative,showing X-rays and talking through what you were looking at,and what effect it had on your body was particularly interesting.Its things like that which make this course so beneficial to us. You are treated as a WHOLE person,literally from head to toe,inside and out! For someone like me,a sufferer from age 20 diagnosed at 40,with advanced Ankylosing Spondylitis and fusion,i was blown away to learn things i didn't expect. The staff from Catering to Consultants were friendly and approachable,answered any questions i had and never rushed me. The end of course measurements were upon me and to say i was nervous was an understatement. When i say i cried be assured they were tears of unbelievable joy! To gain the extra movement i got and lower my BASMI score for the first time since i was diagnosed,even though i exercise everyday was wonderful. I also came across many staff members who had been there 20 years and over,one who had been there 55 years!! What does that say? I will be promoting this course in Scotland in the hope that other patients may have the opportunity to attend themselves,unless we can uplift the RNHRD and move it up here,staff included. Keep up the great work everyone,you have a new fan.