Jonathan Johnson has been unable to straighten his spine for the past year after suffering chronic ankylosing spondylitis
A dad-of-four has been stuck with a permanent hunch due to a debilitating condition that prevents him from straightening his spine. Chronic ankylosing spondylitis, an arthritic condition, has trapped 35-year-old Jonathan Johnson in a year-long cycle of relentless pain as it caused his spine to "fuse together".
"I'm only 35 and I'm bent in half like an old person. The pain is horrendous. I hardly sleep because of it, and I'm always tired." The dad-of-four shared how the prolonged wait for surgery has been tough on his family, especially his eight-year-old son Alfie James Johnson who is autistic and thrives on routine. He said: "Last he knew I was going for a major operation, and obviously, he just constantly asks, 'when is daddy going to hospital to get sorted out.' It's hard to explain to him."
AS usually first starts to develop between 18 and 40 years of age. Even if you have the condition, you may not develop all of the main symptoms of AS, such as: Jonathan expressed frustration over the lack of communication regarding a new date, despite claims his wife Donna's repeated attempts to reach out. A desperate Jonathan said: "There's a high risk of paralysis . But I've said to my wife I'm not bothered. I've gone past caring. I'd rather be in a wheelchair."
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