As a keen rider Matthew always had the MS Gong Ride on his bucket list, it was in 2024 when things became personal. Matthew’s wife, Rosie was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).
With five shows left to go of an amateur dramatic musical of Mary Poppins, Rosie started experiencing terrible headaches and partial blindness in her right eye. She thought it was her first experience with a migraine, but when a doctor advised her to go urgently to hospital, Rosie was told she had optic neuritis and there was a 70% likelihood that she had MS but needed an MRI to confirm.
Rosie knew a little about MS, her godmother had lived with it before passing away, but with so few shows left and some vision remaining in her right eye, she decided to push on and complete her performances first. The decision came with a promise to her doctor that she would go to the hospital for her MRI as soon as they had wrapped. The scans confirmed that Rosie had MS and was experiencing her first flare up.
Only days after her diagnosis, Rosie’s flare up escalated and she had limited mobility in her legs, causing her to spend three days in hospital. While she was recovering at home her movement had deteriorated further, but it was only when she was walking with her physiotherapist that she realised she could only manage roughly 50 steps at a time.
“Life changed drastically for me at that point. I realised that my movement was really limited and my muscles and body weren't functioning in the way they had before. Before this, I had been a very healthy person. I went to the gym three times a week and lead a very active life. Suddenly, I was reduced to pacing around my house three times a day, just trying to keep my body moving. Life became very different.”
For people living with MS, having access to the right support can make a meaningful difference at every stage of their journey. Through its support and services, MS Plus ensures that people living with MS get the vital support they need to meet their goals and live well.
“MS Plus and the wider MS community have supported me enormously. From the doctors and nurses to the programs that helped me return to work, I've felt incredibly supported, listened to and respected. Knowing that fundraising events like the MS Gong Ride make that support possible is really powerful.”
Rosie’s schedule has changed completely, some days are harder than others and she has had to learn not to push herself to the point where she becomes fatigued, overtired and overwhelmed. Now Rosie has returned to physical fitness in the form of Pilates, it allows her to work out without negatively impacting her body.
“Life has changed significantly for me. I'm still not able to dance fully again or perform in the way I once did. But I am able to enjoy life and appreciate the smaller moments, something I didn't always do before because I was constantly busy and rushing around.
Now, I smell the roses a little more. I'm able to think more carefully about what my body needs, what my mental state needs, and what is actually important. And I'm incredibly lucky to be in a position where I can still move, I can still live, and I can still have a good life. I think that's probably one of the biggest things MS has taught me: to slow down, appreciate what I have, and listen to my body.”
Watching Rosie navigate her new life, Matthew decided to take part in the MS Gong Ride in 2025 in support of her and the other 37,00 Australians living with MS. He joined up with his good friend, Aaron Taylor and his team, Team Mich, and was blown away by the support he received from his community. This year he decided to create a team of his own, Team Rosie.
Riding in the MS Gong Ride is an opportunity for Matthew to celebrate the community surrounding Rosie and himself, from the friends riding alongside him to the generous donors and sponsors who have supported the team. For Matthew, seeing his community come together is a huge part of why he is excited to return this year.
For Rosie, the MS Gong Ride represents community, generosity and hope. It is now an event that means so much to her, and she is so proud that her and Matthew can make a difference in the lives of others living with MS.
“Last year, when Matthew rode for MS, it was an incredibly emotional experience for me. Seeing so many people come together and work so hard to support people they don't even know was amazing. And now, being one of those people affected by MS, it feels very personal.”
We can’t wait to see Matthew and Rosie again at the 2026 MS Gong Ride Event Village!
