Rory Tennes
I am Rory Tennes, the face of AS at age 53. Thank you so much for this site. The stories of the lives of others with AS has given me courage and insight. I was diagnosed a little over a year ago and have come to learn that I have had AS about 30 years. I am one of the fortunate that my spine has not fused yet, though it has been showing signs of the beginnings of fusion in my X-rays and MRI’s since I was in my 30’s. Perhaps because I was so physically active, working in construction and an avid health nut / body builder is the reason I did not fuse.
The pain and fatigue for the last 6 years though has been excruciating and debilitating. I am no stranger to pain, working in construction as a tile setter and stone mason is not for the weak or faint. I just used the pain as a tonic and booster to work harder – and then go to the gym afterward ! Guess the good endorphins I produced as a result of all that work dulled the pain so I just did more work. Just kept moving.
I’ll fill in more on my story later
Thanks again !
Rory Tennes
Arlington, Texas United States of America
The Faces Of Ankylosing Spondylitis 
Dear Rory,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
Sincerely Cookie