My condition means after many years of getting by driving in discomfort, it’s come to the point where I’ve finally had to stop and admit defeat.
I have a degenerative condition called Ankylosing spondylitis I’ve had since a teenager, after 40 years my spine is now completely fused and curved forward and to the right at my cervical spine so my head is dropped and fixed to the right.
My hearing has gone due to the bones in my ear fusing.
It’s been impossible to find a car seat that is able to support me so I need extra cushions under my right butt cheek and thighs, I need my right arm to be supported while driving, so the door arm rest has to be at the right hight for me.
Along with my spine I’m also fused in my SI joints, my sternum collar bone and ribs. Making breathing difficult and the pressure of a seat belt agony.
Part of the condition is osteoporosis so It’s very easy to get soft fractures at any time.
Due to my spine deformities I have stenosis were my nerves are trapped in several places, so I have constant pins and needles in my legs arms and feet.
The pads of my hands get numb after a while when driving, as do my soles of my feet and toes.
pot holes and speed bumps really jar my bones so much so that I can black out from nerve pain.
I have a heart condition caused by it being crushed by my ribs, so no more surgery for me.
As you can imagine it’s not easy managing a normal life and like many we are still grateful that mobility is here so at least I can nominate drivers with just a phone call and still be able to get out of the house and visit siblings and grandkids.