Living with axial SpA, an invisible illness:

I have always loved sport and was lucky enough to have played most of them growing up. As a youngster, I was extremely driven and competitive — I simply had to win. All I wanted was to become a professional sportsman, especially in cricket.

However, life rarely goes to plan. At 18, I was diagnosed with a serious, and at times debilitating, arthritic condition — then known as ankylosing spondylitis, now more commonly referred to as axial SpA.

I’ve never been one to give up easily. Despite the diagnosis, I continued to pursue my dream, playing at the highest level I could. But my condition inevitably held me back — in fitness, in performance, and perhaps most importantly, in self-belief. A bubble had burst, and doubt crept in. Cricket became a battle between body and mind. I was no longer fully present, and the endless cycle of trying to stay fit while managing flare-ups and other symptoms became physically exhausting and mentally draining.

Still, I’m proud to have played a good standard of club and representative cricket well into my 50th year.

Living with axial SpA for most of my adult life, writing “Hitting AS for Six” gave me my first real opportunity to reflect on how it has shaped me — not just physically, but emotionally, in my relationships, and in my mental health. Both cricket and AS have played a huge part in who I am today.

By sharing my journey, I hope to highlight the challenges posed by this invisible, debilitating, and still relatively unknown disease — all set against the backdrop of my passion for cricket. Being a perfectionist and deeply competitive, my diagnosis challenged the very core of my identity. It has been an emotional and physical rollercoaster, and there have been times when I felt like giving up. In truth, sometimes I did.

The unpredictable nature of associated pain created a constant background of instability, quietly chipping away at my resilience. Yet the focus and discipline that sport taught me always pulled me back — stronger and more determined each time.

I self-inject an immunosuppressor fortnightly and take daily anti-inflammatories. I also try to swim every day and can often be found in the sauna, steam room, or under a cold shower! With the right support structure around you — including access to specialist AS clinics, a good rheumatology consultant, the right medication, and support from NASS — anything is possible.

Speak openly to your loved ones about how you are feeling, and never be ashamed to tell people you have the condition.

Sport plays such a critical role in society, and I hope my story resonates with others who may be facing their own battles. Living with axial SpA is not easy, but it can still be a full, rich life. I am proud of who I have become and what I have achieved despite my condition. I hope my story encourages others to never give up — and to always follow their dreams.

You can find out more about Hitting AS for Six and purchase a copy here 

All profits from the sale of the book will be donated to the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS).