Former Olympic swimmer Michael Klim’s latest challenge post auto-immune disorder diagnosis

Swimming legend Michael Klim’s life was up-ended when he was diagnosed with a rare auto-immune disorder. His three-year battle has now sparked his push to help children with similar brain disorders.

Swimming legend Michael Klim’s life dramatically changed when he was diagnosed with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) – a rare auto-immune disorder in the arms and legs – in 2020.

“You lose functionality and sensation. For me it affected my feet. I’ve got a lot of muscle wastage, strength, simple things such as balancing or standing on one leg I can’t do, walking long distance is a no,” Klim said while pointing to his walking stick.

“My fashion has had to change. I wear chunky runners most places and I’ve got a brace.”

The three-year health battle was the catalyst for his involvement in the development of an exciting new event which is set to kick off in March.

Teaming up with Brainwave Australia, the gold medal Olympian is calling on Australians to swim to raise funds for children with brain injuries and illnesses nationwide, and their families.

Michael Klim was diagnosed with CIDP in 2020. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Brendan Read

The Brainwave Klim Swim Challenge encourages teams to swim for the entire month of March as part of a collective 34,000km in the hopes of raising $300,000 for Aussies dealing with brain disorders.

“It combines my two passions and helping others with neurological conditions such as I have, especially kids and swimming and water safety,” Klim, 45, said.

Ten children are diagnosed with neurological conditions or brain injuries each day in Australia with Brainwave supporting over 1200 families around the country.

Brainwave CEO, Paul Bird said these families are never the same again after the diagnosis and expects another 300 will need support in 2023.

“They face financial hardship through losing a breadwinner to be the 24/7 carer, social isolation, exhaustion, guilt, family breakdown and frustration with the health and disability systems,” he said.

Klim is best remembered as one of Australia’s champion swimmers in the late 90s and early 2000s, where he made history at the Sydney Olympic Games by winning gold in the 4x100m relay with Ian Thorpe, Chris Fydler and Ashley Callus.

The United States had won the 4x100m freestyle in seven straight Olympics when in 2000 US sprinter Gary Hall had boasted before the Games his team would “smash them like guitars”.

But the Aussies proved them wrong and when the race was over, they celebrated by playing air guitar at the cocky USA team to the delight of the home crowd.

Klim is asking all Australians to register and donate at klimswimchallenge.com.au.