A Swansea based runner sharing her journey of living and training with a rare autoimmune condition will be taking on the Brecon Carreg Porthcawl 10K to help raise awareness and inspire others.

Ela Titley was diagnosed with Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease (MOGAD) when she was 17. It meant her immune system mistakenly attacks the protein covering the nerves in her central nervous system, causing inflammation in the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves, leading to vision loss, weakness and paralysis.

However, Ela’s not letting the disorder define her. She is determined to raise awareness of the condition and show others what can be achieved through health and fitness by running the Brecon Carreg Porthcawl 10K in July.

Ela, now 26, who has gone on to build a career in science and now shares her journey through running and wellbeing said: “I was 17 and in school studying for my A Levels when I went completely blind in my right eye. It was very frightening and I had no idea what was happening.

“Doctors had no idea what was going on, and it wasn’t until I saw an MS specialist and had a lumbar puncture that I was diagnosed with MOGAD. Unfortunately due to the delay in treatment I’m now classed as visually impaired and since then I’ve continued to have attacks on my spinal cord and optic nerve.”

Ela has had around 10 MOGAD attacks since her diagnosis in 2017. They often leave her feeling very weak and requiring hospital treatment. In some instances unable to see and walk.

She said: “When I’m poorly and being treated, even just walking can be impossible due to weakness and fatigue but on occasion where an attack is on the spinal cord I can cause temporary paralysis for a number of days. The more attacks I have, the more lasting damage there is, so it’s a case of trying to find preventative treatment and things that can help me.

“It’s extremely difficult as an attack is completely random and can happen at any time. There doesn’t seem to be a trigger. There’s no cure and there’s no one designated treatment, so it’s just a case of finding something that works for me which seems to be steroids and immunosuppressants.

“Movement and remaining fit and healthy helps immensely especially in the recovery of an attack. My physios have said that as I try to look after my health it’s given me a good base for my recovery, but it does take a while to get back to running again after I’ve experienced an attack.”

Ela’s last attack was in August 2025 and the Brecon Carreg Porthcawl 10K is one of her first races back since her recovery.

She also became a Run 4 Wales ambassador earlier this year and will be taking part in the Rabbit Run, Kidney Wales CDF 10K and Cardiff Half Marathon later in the year. She uses the power of sport to inspire others and is a huge advocate in the importance of looking after your health. Now she is also part of a working group looking to set up the first MOGAD charity in the UK.

She said: “Running is a massive part of my life, but my recovery can take months.

“MOGAD is such a rare condition so it’s important to me to talk about it and raise awareness. It’s under the same umbrella as MS and there are some conditions that share similar treatments. However, the more people know about it, the more that I hope funding can be given to research. We’re learning more every single day and I’m positive there will be a big breakthrough eventually.

“Becoming a Run 4 Wales ambassador means that I can share my story and hope people may be able to relate in some way. With a rare disease you can feel very alone, but in sharing what I’ve been through it may help someone feel they can do something similar.”

Matt Newman, Chief Executive at Run 4 Wales, added: “We’re always so inspired to hear the stories of our amazing runners and what they’ve been through to get to the start line of our races. Ela shows how important it is to look after your health and wellbeing in helping with recovery from an illness. We can’t wait to continue to cheer for her at our races throughout the year and look forward to seeing her at the Brecon Carreg Porthcawl 10K in July.”