Helping To Raise Awareness
Mark Wilkinson supports NASS, the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society. It is the only charity in the UK dedicated to transforming axial SpA (AS) care in the UK, the condition that resulted in his collapse and being unable to walk for 18 months and the dis-ease that continues to affect Mark’s health.
What Is Axial SpA (AS)?
Axial Spondyloarthritis (axial SpA) is an inflammatory arthritis of the spine and joints. 1 in 200 of the adult population in the UK have axial SpA (AS). That’s twice as many as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Symptoms can start in people’s late teens, with the average age of onset being 24. The current average delay to diagnosis from when symptoms start is 8.5 years, by which irreversible damage to the spine may have occurred.
Mark’s Story
Mark was making his way to the sofa, when his right leg gave way beneath him and he fell to the floor with an almighty crash. He lay there in agony with a searing pain up the back of his right leg. It felt like fire, like a hot poker had been rammed up inside his leg. As he tried to get up, he realised there was no strength in his leg at all, like it had stopped working.
He didn’t know it then, but this was the first day of an 18-month physical decline into a full-on health crisis. The next year and a half saw him spiral down into a pit of agony, both physically and mentally. He was 33 years old.
Read more in Chapter 1 of Mark’s debut book; Life Remixed.
Mark Wilkinson Is Raising Awareness for NASS!
Did you know that 59% of people with axial SpA (AS) report experiencing mental health problems? As a life coach, author and speaker Mark’s aim is to to ensure people never have to suffer the way he did, which includes supporting their health and mental wellbeing.
Act on Axial SpA (AS) Conference
Mark was delighted to be asked to support the Axial SpA Conference at QEII Conference Centre.
Daily Express & Mirror Article
In August Mark’s story and experience with Axial SpA (AS) featured in the Mirror and Daily Express. Read it here!
AS Myth Busting Challenge
Mark took part in the Axial SpA (AS) myth busting challenge #ditchthemyth. Take the AS Myth Busting Quiz now!
Mark Wilkinson x Kenny Thomas – A Charity Single For Christina
British Soul Music legend, Kenny Thomas and House Producer Mark Wilkinson have come together on a very special collaboration, ‘Sweet Sweet Music’, to help fund the ongoing specialist treatment for Kenny’s daughter Christina, who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour at the age of four, given just 6 months to live. Having rejected non-curing treatments in the UK, Kenny and his wife Francisca found help for Christina from German medical experts and she is now a happy 8-year-old who remains reasonably stable. The Thomas family continue to defy all the odds stacked against them and their fight goes on to help find funds for Christina’s ongoing expensive treatment.
Mark was inspired to help raise money for Christina after Kenny Thomas was a special guest on his Straight Talking series which you can watch again here.
AMAZON REVIEWS FOR LIFE REMIXED
