A year ago, there was nothing.
No foundation. No handbook. No community events. No partnership with Champion. No swimmers gathering at Coolangatta in the name of CIDP.
Just a diagnosis. A lot of unanswered questions. And a determination to do something about it.
“When I was finally diagnosed with CIDP my doctor told me that this was going to be the greatest challenge of my life. That’s an interesting thing to tell an athlete.” – Michael Klim
Twelve months on, the Klim Foundation exists. And it’s already changing things for people living with CIDP in Australia.
What We’ve Built in Year One
The Klim Foundation was established with a clear purpose: to champion awareness, education, support and research for Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy – a rare neurological disorder that attacks the body’s nerve fibres, weakening muscles and robbing people of their physical ability, sometimes slowly, sometimes overnight.
CIDP affects thousands of Australians, yet most people have never heard of it. There’s no unified medical effort to find a solution. Limited support. Limited resources. And far too little conversation.
That’s what we set out to change.
This year, we:
Why It Matters
CIDP is invisible to most people. That’s part of what makes it so isolating. You can look completely fine from the outside while your body is fighting itself from within – your immune system attacking the protective layer around your nerve fibres, disrupting signals, weakening limbs, making everyday tasks a challenge.
For Michael Klim, the diagnosis came after years of confusion, physical decline, and searching for answers. What was meant to be the greatest challenge of his life became the catalyst for something bigger.
The Klim Foundation is the result of that challenge being turned outward – toward the thousands of Australians who deserve better information, better support, and a real shot at a therapeutic solution in their lifetime.
What Comes Next
Year two is about deepening the work. We’re focused on funding research, expanding support services, building our medical advisory panel, and pushing for CIDP recognition under the NDIS.
We’re also building community. Because for anyone living with CIDP, knowing they’re not alone matters enormously.
If you’ve been following this journey, thank you. If you’re new here, welcome.
This is just the beginning.
Support the Klim Foundation at klimfoundation.org.au