Ex- England Rugby Union Captain Discloses Motor Neurone Disease Medical Condition

Former English captain Lewis Moody has revealed he has been found to have motor neurone disease and admitted he cannot yet deal with the full ramifications of the muscle-deteriorating condition that ended the lives of fellow rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.

The 47-year-old athlete, who was part of the 2003 championship side and secured numerous English and European titles with Leicester, gave an interview to BBC Breakfast a fortnight after learning he has the illness.

"There's something about confronting what lies ahead and being reluctant to fully comprehend that at the present time," he stated.

"It's not that I fail to comprehend where it's heading. We grasp that. But there is certainly a hesitation to look the future in the face for now."

Moody, speaking alongside his wife Annie, explains instead he feels "at ease" as he directs his attention to his immediate welfare, his family and planning ahead for when the illness deteriorates.

"Perhaps that's surprise or maybe I deal with matters uniquely, and once I have the facts, it's easier," he stated further.

First Symptoms

Moody found out he had MND after observing some weakness in his upper arm while training in the gym.

After physical therapy didn't help the issue, a number of scans revealed nerves in his neurological system had been affected by MND.

"You're given this diagnosis of MND and we're understandably extremely affected about it, but it's quite odd because I sense that everything is fine," he added.

"I don't experience unwell. I don't feel poorly

"My indications are quite slight. I have a bit of muscle loss in the hand and the shoulder.

"I continue to be able to doing anything and everything. And with luck that will persist for as long as is attainable."

Condition Progression

MND can develop quickly.

As per the non-profit MND Association, the illness claims a 33% of people within a twelve months and over half within 730 days of detection, as eating and inhalation become more difficult.

Medical care can only retard deterioration.

"It's not me that I am upset for," stated an affected Moody.

"It's about the sorrow around having to break the news to my mum - as an single child - and the consequences that has for her."

Household Effect

Conversing from the residence with his wife and their canine companion by his side, Moody was overcome with feeling when he spoke about telling his sons - 17-year Dylan and adolescent Ethan - the traumatic news, stating: "This was the toughest thing I've ever had to do."

"They are two wonderful boys and that was pretty devastating," Moody remarked.

"We were seated on the couch in crying, Ethan and Dylan both hugging in each other, then the dog jumped over and started removing the tears off our faces, which was rather funny."

Moody said the priority was remaining in the moment.

"There is no treatment and that is why you have to be extremely intensely concentrated on just welcoming and enjoying everything now," he stated.

"According to Annie, we've been very lucky that the primary determination I made when I concluded playing was to spend as much period with the kids as attainable. We won't recover those times back."

Sportsman Link

Elite competitors are excessively impacted by MND, with investigations proposing the rate of the condition is up to 600% elevated than in the wider community.

It is considered that by restricting the air obtainable and producing harm to neural pathways, frequent, intense exercise can trigger the condition in those already genetically susceptible.

Rugby Playing Days

Moody, who gained 71 England selections and toured with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was dubbed 'Mad Dog' during his sports career, in honour of his fearless, persistent method to the game.

He competed through a fracture of his leg for a period with Leicester and once caused a workout confrontation with team-mate and friend Martin Johnson when, frustrated, he abandoned a tackle pad and commenced participating in tackles.

After appearing as a reserve in the Rugby World Cup championship win over Australia in 2003, he claimed a ball at the back of the throw-in in the critical moment of play, creating a foundation for scrum-half Matt Dawson to advance and Jonny Wilkinson to kick the victory-securing field goal.

Backing System

Moody has earlier informed Johnson, who skippered England to that championship, and a couple of other previous players about his medical situation, but the remaining individuals will be discovering his news with the rest of public.

"There shall be a period when we'll need to rely on their assistance but, at the minute, just having that sort of love and recognition that people are available is the crucial thing," he stated.

"This game is such a excellent community.

"I said to the kids the other day, I've had an incredible life.

"Even when it finished now, I've enjoyed all of it and welcomed all of it and got to do it with remarkable people.

"When you get to label your love your vocation, it's one of the most significant honors.

"Achieving this for so extended a time with the teams that I did it with was a delight. And I understand they will wish to support in any way they can and I await having those talks."