MEET Lucy
18 JULY 2025
In 2023, when Lucy was 16 weeks pregnant with her second child, she suddenly became paralysed from the neck down. It was the most terrifying moment of her life. Lucy was then diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). It’s a rare neurological condition very similar to multiple sclerosis.
Thankfully, Lucy has received specialist care and ongoing treatments from diagnosis until now and has recovered from her full body paralysis.
Lucy and her husband have a background in cycling and train with Moore Performance, a premier training group in Sydney. They both have a passion for cycling, so being able to complete the 2024 MS Gong Ride after a recent diagnosis of NMOSD and the birth of her second child was a major milestone.
There is so much that Lucy is looking forward to during the MS Gong Ride, but it is definitely the feeling of crossing the finish line that she is most excited for!
That moment your cross [the finish line] feels so good - like you’ve done something powerful for yourself and for others. The event village atmosphere is always fantastic, and it’s such a celebration of community.
Having raised over $2,500 during her first MS Gong Ride, Lucy has some fundraising tips she can share with other riders who might be finding it hard to get the donations ball rolling:
Be authentic. Share your story, you might be surprised by how many people in your circle have been touched by MS or similar conditions. Start a social training group and get friends involved. The MS Gong Ride is incredibly inclusive, with options for all levels of ability and commitment. The more people who join, the more awareness we build together.
Living with a neurological disease herself, Lucy understands the vital role events like the MS Gong Ride play in raising funds and awareness for MS and other neurological conditions. She wants to say a huge thank you to everyone who supports the MS Gong Ride:
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to everyone who rides, fundraises, or spreads awareness. While I live with NMOSD—a condition that’s rare and underfunded—vital research into MS also unlocks insights for NMOSD. Every dollar, every rider, and every story makes a difference.
Finally, Lucy has a message for her fellow riders:
Enjoy every moment! Take breaks, take in the views, and soak up the atmosphere. It’s such a rare opportunity to ride through the Royal National Park on closed roads and over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Pause, appreciate it, and take it all in!
We can’t wait to see Lucy back again for this year’s MS Gong Ride!
