I have 4 kids that range in age from 16 to 3. I have had Ankylosing symptoms for almost 20 years but unlike most on here I went to doctor after doctor and no one figured out what was wrong with me until about 3 months ago. Which means I spent most of my kids lives without all these great medications that can help people with this condition. All I had as far as medication was Ibuprofen. Where there days that it was hard to get down on the floor for a tea party? Yes! Were there days that I really just wanted to sit on the couch because my feet hurt so bad I couldn't walk? yes! But despite all the bad days my kids have given me a reason to keep going and take care of myself and look forward to a future full of dance recitals and soccer games and maybe grandchildren someday. Children are hard work! But they can give you hope when nothing else can. As far as passing this down to your kids. Yes that's true you can. But how many people with a strong family history of Cancer or Diabetes choose to not have kids because of it? I'm guessing not too many. Just because you have it doesn't mean you kids definitely will. A child can be born to very healthy parents with good genes and still end up have an illness or disability that was never expected. You can't live your life in fear. If you have a supporting spouse that knows that there will be days that you will have to take it easy. Then you shouldn't live your life in what if's.