Michael Klim, 45, looks frail as he uses a walking stick during an outing with girlfriend Michelle Owen in Los Angeles after giving an update on his rare autoimmune disease
Michael Klim looked frail as he used a walking stick in Los Angeles on Wednesday amid his battle with a rare neurological disorder.
The Australian swimming legend, 45, leaned on the walker as he stepped out with girlfriend Michelle Owen.
The father-of-three dressed casually in an all-black ensemble as he took Michelle for a walk.
Michael Klim, 45, looked frail as he used a walking stick on an outing with girlfriend Michelle Owen in Los Angeles on Wednesday
Klim wore black jeans, a matching t-shirt, sneakers and had a backpack ready for the trip.
Meanwhile, Michelle looked stylish in black pants, a white buttoned shirt and black sneakers.
The sighting comes after Klim recently shared a surprise update on his battle with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) with neurological conditions and revealed his deteriorating condition has prevented him from traveling to Australia.
Speaking to former Olympic teammate Brett Hawke on his popular podcast, Klim, who was diagnosed with CIDP in 2020, also confirmed he is under financial stress after stepping down from his role in his hit skincare line due to his illness.
The father-of-three dressed casually in an all-black ensemble as he took Michelle for a walk
The father-of-three said his mobility is now so limited that he is unable to leave his adopted home of Bali and make trips to Australia as he previously did several times a year for work and treatment.
“I’ve focused on the swim academy here in Bali and … we run a number of camps and clinics,” said the 45-year-old.
“From that point of view, I kind of simplified my lifestyle.
“I mean, I made 20 trips back and forth to Australia a year for work and whatever.
Klim wore black jeans, a matching t-shirt, sneakers and had a backpack ready for the trip
“But right now it’s just physically … physically impossible actually because (for) myself it’s not easy to get around.”
Klim said he no longer works for Milk & Co. because his autoimmune condition is taking a toll on his physical and mental well-being.
Klim founded the skin care line back in 2008 and held a sales and marketing position as well as a major shareholder.
The sighting comes after Klim recently shared a surprise update on his battle with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) with neurological conditions and revealed his deteriorating condition has prevented him from traveling to Australia
However, he says his inability to travel meant he had to retire from day-to-day operations – a factor that has added a new element of financial strain.
And in a further blow, Klim also revealed that his original health insurance didn’t cover CIDP – a disorder characterized by progressive weakness and impaired sensory function in the legs and arms.
As a result, his treatment is now fully self-funded – another hurdle that he says puts another financial drain on him and his family.
Speaking to former Olympic teammate Brett Hawke on his popular podcast, Klim, who was diagnosed with CIDP in 2020, also confirmed he is under financial stress after stepping down from his role in his hit skincare line due to his illness