Tim Ryan has been a long-time supporter of MS events, having participated in the MS Melbourne Cycle for the last two years and the MS Walk and Fun Run for over eight years.

Tim was brought up in rural Bairnsdale and lived life for the love of sport from a very early age. His natural talent with the oval ball resulted in him being selected into high profile football clubs such as VFL Port Melbourne, and was on the cusp of being drafted into the AFL Melbourne Football Club in 2002. As he fostered the beginnings of a sporting career, Tim suddenly experienced an episode of double vision.

A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis soon followed along with other symptoms affecting his mobility, balance and fatigue levels. In time, Tim felt well again and returned to work, coaching school age children in a variety of sports, which he loved.

His attempt to return his normal “invincible” self was short lived however, when he realised he could no longer run or kick a football. Tim instead worked to his strengths and diversified his professional life by changing roles to a high profile position with an international airline carrier requiring less mobility. And despite it looking a little different to what he imagined, Tim continues his passion for sport in the form of wheelchair basketball.

With the love and support of his beautiful wife, baby, family and friends, Tim is an enthusiastic fundraiser for MS and hopes to one day run and kick the footy with his daughter when that elusive cure is found for multiple sclerosis.