Colin Beevor, Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist for Rheumatology, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has produced a guide to driving without pain Pick one up at registration desk

Forum of Mobility Centres 17 independent organisations offering: High quality information Advice Assessment Can be referred for an assessment by the DVLA (free) Can make a direct appointment (charge)

If your AS does not affect your safe driving you do not need to inform DVLA If your AS affects your safe driving you need to tell DVLA

BUT informing DVLA does NOT mean: You will lose your licence Your car insurance will cost you any more

You could be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t tell DVLA about a condition that might affect your ability to drive safely. You could be prosecuted if you have an accident.

Can lease by exchanging these allowances: Higher Rate Mobility DLA Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement (WPMS) Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) Non drivers can apply as passenger Website contains list of local adaptors

Allows people with severe walking problems to park in restricted areas Can park free and for any length of time at: On-street parking meters On-street pay and display areas All the information you need to apply can be found on the Gov.UK websiteGov.UK website NASS happy to help with supporting letters / s

IF you may need assistance when you travel tell your airline, travel agent or tour operator when you book Check with cruise lines at the point of booking Airlines need to be informed at least 48 hours in advance National Rail need at least 24 hours notice

Raise money for NASS as you shop Companies give % of purchase price to NASS

Vital to disclose AS and any other medical conditions Otherwise AS may be excluded OR policy invalidated Honest and clear about impact of AS Shop around Challenge high premiums List of insurers recommended by NASS members

Entitles you to free or low cost healthcare in most European countries Free to obtain

Great website for travel info providing country by country advice Get vaccinated in good time IF on anti TNF therapy should NOT have live vaccines Yellow fever vaccine NOT advised Typhoid – V1 vaccine safe as not live

Make sure you have enough medication to cover your trip Take 2 lots and put one in hand luggage and 1 in checked baggage Carry copies of your prescriptions in your hand luggage Keep medications in original pharmacy labelled containers

Anti TNF needs to be kept at correct temperature Frio wallets and carry cases MedActiv Carry in hand luggage with prescriptions

Some prescription medications, including codeine based medications, are illegal in other countries Check with the embassy or consulate of the countries you are travelling to

NASS member has produced wallet sized guide to key words in other languages Contact BUT AS is a complex condition and it is important to find doctor or pharmacist who can speak good English Espondilitis Anquilosante ankyloserande spondylit ankilozantni spondilitisMorbus Bechterew spondylarthrite ankylosante

IF on anti TNF or have fusion may want to consider MedicAlert MedicAlert provides vital details in an emergency Medical ID jewellery Keeps secure, detailed medical records for members Info can be accessed in an emergency, 24 hours a day 7 days a week Can be accessed from anywhere in the world and can converse in 100+ languages