The first thought that crossed David Galea’s mind when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2008 at the age of 40, was of Australia’s “Golden Girl” Betty Cuthbert, a once great Olympic athlete who, now using a wheelchair, also lives with the effects of MS.

A competitive cyclist in summer and a footballer in winter, David and his wife were stunned when they were given the news he had MS. Looking back, he now knows he had been experiencing MS symptoms for four years prior to his diagnosis.

After the initial shock and a few sleepless nights, David declared to his wife and two children, a son aged 11 and a six year old daughter, “My MS is not going to get the better of me. I am going to kick its butt!” His son added, “No pain, no gain, that’s what you tell me, Dad. I’m going to help you!” They commenced training and, at the end of 2008, together this father and son cycled 96km to Wollongong in the Sydney to the Gong Bike Ride for MS. David admits his wife and kids are his backbone.

After 12 years in the construction industry, David is now studying to be a personal trainer, something he has always wanted to do. At present he trains his wife and a few friends. To keep fit and achieve as full and healthy a lifestyle as possible, David exercises by doing weights and rehab training four days per week and a cycle class two days a week.

He is grateful for the help he has received from MS Australia since his diagnosis. “The health professionals on the MS Connect telephone line were the first people I turned to for information and they helped,” he says. “I want to give something back to MS Australia and the more people I can touch and inspire with my story the better.”

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