Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group A Short History of KickAS (Remembered)

Glad to see this thread up. Don't get here as often as I used to but good to see some of my old friends. Yes quite a history to this place.

I am so thankful I found this site, don't even remember how, I am sure I just happened onto it while I was researching.

I do remember this is the first place I could actually come to and talk about AS, steroids, drugs...ect..and people actually knew what I was talking about.

I still deal with that every day, you have what? How do you spell that? Even in the medical community...

So who ever is responsible for getting the site going...you have my thanks!!!!!!!

Lisa

Rick
this is something I've been meaning to do ever since i first read your 'History of KA'.
My memories don't go back as far as most, I don't even remember when i first joined the 'family', I think it was about late April 2000, so quite a while and loads of memories. Talking with John in California and Mike (Grin,, etc) Ed in the newly formed chatroom, for hours on end 2 or 3 times a week. Being able to talk with other AS sufferers, has really been the one thing which has helped me more than any of the drugs or remedies which the Dr's could prescribe. Being able to welcome new members and get to know someone who I knew I would probably never get to meet in real life. And then months later welcome them to my home, amazing. I'm talking about Jeanna (Ge-anna) here, she came for lunch back in August 2004 with Loz, we had always spent a lot of time talking via emails or PM's about so many things. Answering questions put by Cristina in CA, and trying to beat her to the next question with some strange theme. Trying to keep up with Lon and his escapades with beer wagons and uptight drivers, just wondering what on earth will he do next. Running from Cheryl and her weed whacker, I know there's lots of guys who still look over there shoulders, even now.
Being able to offer jokes to lift others spirits, as mine had been lifted, just by reading a silly joke or story. And the lighter colored hair stories who can forget those, I mean who would paint a Porsche not a 'Porch'. Poor Tammy et al, they gave back as good as we gave and still do, I'm glad to say. Starting threads, which took off and ran and ran, 'Where in the World do you live', maybe it's time to resurrect it.
Listening to Steve(c) and how worried he was for Diane while she expecting. It was like we were all a part of it, and as it turned out we were, who will ever forget the Nappy/Diaper drop which Cheryl organised, I'd have loved to have been a fly on the wall, whenever another carton was delivered.
And Loz, my best KA friend. We've met up a few times, been out for meals, welcomed each other into our respective homes, and been a part of the biggest internet prank ever seen on KA. And that's how I was born. Before then I was just plain old SIMPO15. Loz and I met up one sunny Sunday afternoon at a nearby country park, which has a large old house, it was an old Abbey back in the 16/17th C and is now a hotel. But the picture of myself and Lady Pamela, my wife stood in front of it and the story Loz put about , my butler and staff made him very welcome and he had a lovely time visiting a 'LORD'. And I was just an ordinary guy, I did not want a fuss made about my lineage, and because Loz had told everything here on KA about me, I became very 'cross and annoyed' with him. Of course it's human nature that some will always be taken in, and they were. Loz and I kept this up for about 5 days, and decided it had gone on long enough. So we owned up to the prank, and almost had to go into hiding. Cheryl's weed wacker was really warmed up. Of course there were some who just saw through it straight away and even looked up my lineage on the internet. So Lord Simpo was born. I've had my up's and downs here, there was a time when I nearly left altogether, because of a certain person, who has since gone, I am just so glad I stayed. I know I don't use the site as much as I did, when I first found it, but it has grow to such an extent that if I read and replied to every single post/thread that is included every day I would go insane. I will admit here, that the reason I do not make so much of an input is that it began to affect my health. I used to read all posts and try and help every one who needed it, it began to tell on me. I relalise I cannot help all, but if on any occasion I make a post or answer a thread and it helps anyone, then that is what this site is all about. Not curing all, but helping one.
Long may it continue.

If coming here too often affects your helath adversely then do not post too often. That is my state of mind lately. Also, and contradictorily, this place is sort of like an enormous high school. Forgive the juvenile analogy.

I do however thrive upon the words of my clasmates, those who arrived at KickAS before or at a similar time to me more than others, so I offer you this all of your words are very healing to me and I suspect too to our classmates.

Post when it does you well but know it heals. Just seeing a Lord Simpo is healing to me. Do not underestimate the healing effect of your words. AMazing how much power we all have with a word or two. E.G. your idea to send a good word to Loz and Jeanna.


THank your PAUL. ------occasionally known as your Lordship.

Great post your Lordship... you have captured a lot what Kickas is all about in my opinion. Have enjoyed your travel posts and of course the post of how your Lordship came to be.

Keep on kicking!

Tim

I got here in 99 after hooking up with Brian's site.Although I have been innactive due to averaging about one major surgery per year .I have enjoyed meeting and comiserating with the many lovely folks here.I especially miss some of the older folks who have passed away especially my buddy from lake county! I have met liberals and conservatives all with good advice for me and the kind words of encouragement when i was going into my many surgeries!The drugs like the new biologics were written about by many here that answered the practical side of how to use and what to expect unlike the hurry up rheumatolists that prescribe them. Most of all I have enjoyed the many humerous personalities who have shared their wit with us in spite of their own misery.God Bless Kick AS and all it stands for.Thank you one and all for being part of this lifesaver for my sometimes miserable psychie.
Kev (Frunobulax)

I made a huge mistrake! I got to thinking and finally had to ask Loz when he took over as Chief...turns out I lost a year somewhere Loz pointed me to the post announcing his appointment on 1-1-02

Quote:

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Happy New Year!

If you don’t know, Phase II of the face-lift is complete and looks great! I’d like to thank the Administrative Team for all the effort they have put into making KickAS as beautiful to look at as it is to experience.

A special thanks to Timo, our Webmaster...looking good isn't enough for him...it has to be perfect and accessable to all...Thanks guy, hell of a job!

And I would like to thank all the members for the support you have shown me these last two years. You don’t know how much that has meant to me. Not a day goes by that I don’t stop and give a prayer of thanks for all the good people of KickAS…I love you one and all!

Yesterday was my last day as your Chief Administrator. I’m stepping down to take a long needed rest. Everything I started out to do has now been completed…thanks to the team. The site looks great, the Administrative Team is strong and our family is growing every day. All is good in KA Land:)

Our new leader has impressed me since the first day he joined our family. He has proposed numerous ideas on how to improve KA…many are now in place. He is well liked and respected by his peers. He has been the real leader of the face-lift committee and the results speak for themselves. But, to me, his best quality is his compassion for his fellow sufferers. I know that with him at the helm, KickAS can stand up to any storm and be stronger for it.

So, before he starts crying in his beer, it is my sincere pleasure to announce that our new Chief Administrator is Laurence Mason, better known as Loz.

Congratulations Loz, you’ve earned it!

Pete

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All I can say is oops

Thanks for the short story.kick as has been a real life saver at times for me when i was real low. thanks again for the post! :
Kev

Lookit, the first time I log on in ages, and everybody's talking up the history!
I'm so glad to see some of your faces, and names... it's been awhile.
I've been busy, feeling bad from time to time, haven't been able to spend time at the computer, but now I've got wireless, so I'm sitting here on my heating pad in my recliner!
It's great...

Hi Richard

Man, you brought tears to my eyes and a huge lump in my throat! whew. What a job you done putting some history out there. Some of the people I remember when I joined 'Brian Harris, Hobbit,Pete,Teddi from Oklahoma,
James in Texas, aka, Billy Bob James, Christina from California, John L. in East Texas, Dave the master chef, Jade from Canada, Pete aka Dakota Dan, John in Calif., Fairy Sue and Sue in OZ, good Old George and (help me here) the lady minister who left because some persons started bad mouthing each other / the site remember? (I forget her name). Man, what memories came back - with the helping others with fitness training programs,flirting with the babes, good ol friendships developed, all in the name of Kicking AS!

This site and it's "family" helped me deal with it - AS. and helped me help others where I can. Maybe someone will write a book and generate funds for the site.

Keep up the great work everyone.

God Bless

Oh. Thanx to all who replyied to me signing in again after been away for so long. Luv ya all.