Our 2009 Arthritis Walk - Myrtle Beach, SC Honoree Is:
If you don't already have your own reason to walk, here is the Myrtle Beach, SC Arthritis Walk Honoree For 2009 , Mr. Kenneth Cummings
 I'm Ken Cummings; I am 68 years old and live in Myrtle Beach, SC with my wife of 44 years, Sue. We have 2 children and 5 wonderful grand children.
I attended high school and college on a basketball scholarship in the Brooklyn, NY area. My college basketball career came to an abrupt end my freshman year when I bent down to tie my shoe and I could not stand back up. For 2 ½ years after the sneaker issue, my mom took me from doctor to doctor throughout NYC; where after a while it was suggested to her that I was probably a hypochondriac! After many unsuccessful doctor visits, I finally was referred to a Rheumatologist who was able to diagnose my disease: Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). It is 1of the 100 forms of Arthritis, that usually has its onset in late teens. . He treated me with the only medication they had at that time—Butazolidin, a pain killer similar to ibuprofen. I suffered from one of the side effects from Butazolidin, which was damage to my stomach.
Very little was known about AS when I was diagnosed with it 46 years ago. It is painful, restricting and uncomfortable as the disease and inflammation have progressed up my spine; fusing it as it goes along and continually trying to bend the upper half of my body. As the years have gone by living with AS, I have developed limited range in my neck.
I have been treated with various drugs such as methotrexate; prednisone, Enbrel and Remicade. These medicines, along with water therapy have improved my leg strength, balance and also have allowed me to get back to playing up to 9 holes of golf.
Why do I want to help and why does the Arthritis Foundation need your help? Because with our support the Arthritis Foundation can implement its mission; which is to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related diseases. Help me help the Arthritis Foundation of the Carolinas, at the Myrtle Beach Arthritis Walk on Saturday, October 24th at Broadway at the Beach. With the funds we raise we can help the Arthritis Foundation development more treatments and medications; some of which helped me thru the brutal battle with Chronic Arthritic Goutand AS.
Take care; Best wishes and see you at the Arthritis Walk!!,
Ken Cummings
2009 Myrtle Beach, SC Arthritis Walk Honoree.
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