The Klim Swim: Michael's next big challenge after devastating diagnosis
Australian swimming icon Michael Klim has refused to let his autoimmune disorder hold him back from the things he loves, returning to the gym to rebuild his body after his 2019 diagnosis.
The 45-year-old world record holder has chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) – a rare auto-immune disorder that targets the arms and legs, and the body’s nerves. And while things haven’t necessarily been easy for the swimmer, Michael’s positive attitude has assured supporters that big things are still to come for him.
“It has obviously been a challenging three or four years since the diagnosis,” he told the Sunrise team, “but I think I have accepted what I’ve got and I’m trying to make the most of it.
“I have a great support crew, obviously my family, my partner Michelle, and it does take more than one person to get through this, and it has been pretty challenging but I am upbeat and pretty positive.
A lot of people have come up to me and said ‘oh, you’re an Olympian, you’re mentally super tough’ but for me, the physical change has been so huge, it is hard to fathom,” Klim said.
“I can’t even stand on one leg at the moment, so it’s really basic ... understanding that, that is my norm, and I have to slowly build up from that.
“I am focusing on the things I can do rather than the things I can’t.”
And the item at the top of his ‘can do, will do’ list? Encouraging Australians to dive into their local pools (or favourite swimming spot) to take on the Brainwave Klim Swimming Challenge with him.
Michael has been hard at work training in preparation for the event that asks Australians to swim as much as they can during the month of March to raise funds for children with neurological conditions - like his own - and their families. Michael himself hopes to raise $300,000 for the foundation through his swim school franchise Klim Swim.
“No matter how far you choose to swim,” he wrote on Instagram about the challenge, “every stroke counts!”
“For the month of March, we are encouraging everyone to have a swim. It can be one lap, it can be 20km, 40km,” he added during his appearance on Sunrise. “It can be as a family or a team, but just to get out there and get active - and obviously register - and most importantly donate.
“Swimming has given me my purpose, motivation, challenges, and rewards in life. With my diagnosis of the neurological condition CIDP, it’s time to harness swimming to raise awareness of the neurological conditions that affect me and thousands of Australian children, and to raise funds to support them through their life changing journey.”
Images: Instagram