Helgi Olafson | Ankylosing Spondylitis Athlete

Helgi Olafson | Ankylosing Spondylitis Athlete

11 Sep 2015

Helgi Olafson is a Racing For A Cure Athlete who is also afflicted with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). His AS can be debilitating, but he is determined to show the world that you can thrive despite having Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Diagnosed at 19 after experiencing severe back pain, Helgi went through the process of misdiagnosis first. Incorrectly diagnosed with sciatica initially, Helgi’s mom decide to take him to a rheumatologist for a second opinion a few months later. The rheumatologist suspected Ankylsoing Spondylitis from the beginning and after some test that was confirmed.

Never one to let his circumstances stifle his drive, Helgi Olafson, decided to turn his life in a different direction. He decided he wanted to take control of his health and make a difference by showing and teaching others to use exercise as medicine. He joined Racing For A Cure and has been sharing his story everywhere from Hawaii to Canada and from California to Florida. Helgi truly is making a difference through his racing and awareness efforts.

“I see Ankylosing Spondylitis as a blessing, not a curse,” says Helgi and it’s that outlook that has carried this determined arthritis athlete so far in life.

“When I race with Ankylosing Spondylitis, I’m not just some guy out there trying to cross the finish line, I’m carrying a torch for so many others,” he says, and that torch is shining brightly. Thank you Helgi for being a part of the team and for making a difference for arthritis research.

Join Helgi and the Racing For A Cure team at http://RacingForACure.org

Do you or do you know someone who’s racing and shining their light on the world? Let us know in the comments below.