Olympic champion Michael Klim reflects on the powerful lessons learnt from his health battle

Life after elite sport has brought unexpected challenges for Olympic swimmer Michael Klim, but also profound personal insight.

Since being diagnosed with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), he says the experience has reshaped how he understands strength, vulnerability, and empathy.

According to the Brain Foundation, CIDP “is a neurological disorder that results in slowly progressive weakness and loss of feeling in the legs and arms”.

Klim first went public with his diagnosis in July 2022, revealing that years of chronic ankle and back problems had led to a deeper investigation and, eventually, the diagnosis. By sharing his story, he hoped to shed light on a little-known condition and provide support to others facing similar struggles.

“Over two years ago I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder called Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) which is a neurological disorder condition that targets your body’s nerves, especially the areas of the arms, hands, legs, and feet,” he revealed in a blog post at the time.

“Symptoms aren’t the same for everyone but in my case, it has affected my legs and feet.”

Now, reflecting on his journey years later, Klim says the condition has changed his perspective on life and taught him invaluable lessons.

“There was a lot of time of darkness because there is no cure and you’re living in a period of uncertainty – not just yourself as a patient, but your entire support network,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“That was the hardest thing. Previously, my injuries – if I had a rotator cuff injury or sprained ankle – I knew the protocol and knew exactly when I’d be back.

“But this has been something different and something new and it’s definitely taught me a lot of lessons.”

One of the most powerful takeaways for Klim has been developing greater empathy for others living with invisible conditions.

“Let’s say 30 per cent of people with CIDP may make a full remission, 30 per cent – where I seem to be fitting at the moment – remain stagnant for the rest of their life, and then 30 per cent of people end up with paralysis, full paralysis or in a wheelchair,” he said.

“Even when I wear my braces and I’ve got my pants on, most people look at me and say, ‘Gee, you’re so fit’.

“I’ve got my upper body and am still trying to look after myself, but you just don’t know what hardship people are going through underneath.”

Read more: Michael Klim opens up about the ‘confronting’ nature of his ongoing health battle