Previous English Rugby Captain Reveals Motor Neurone Disease Diagnosis

Previous English skipper Lewis Moody has announced he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease and stated he cannot yet confront the full consequences of the muscle-wasting condition that claimed the lives of fellow rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.

The 47-year-old, who was a member of the 2003 championship side and lifted numerous English and European titles with Leicester, gave an interview to BBC Breakfast 14 days after discovering he has the disease.

"There's something about looking the future in the face and being reluctant to fully comprehend that at the moment," he stated.

"It's not that I am unaware of where it's going. We grasp that. But there is certainly a unwillingness to face what's ahead for now."

Moody, speaking together with his wife Annie, explains instead he feels "at ease" as he directs his attention to his present wellbeing, his family and making preparations for when the condition progresses.

"Maybe that's shock or possibly I process things uniquely, and once I have the facts, it's simpler," he stated further.

Early Symptoms

Moody learned he had MND after detecting some lack of strength in his shoulder area while working out in the gym.

After rehabilitation failed to improve the problem, a number of scans revealed nerve cells in his neurological system had been damaged by MND.

"You're presented with this condition identification of MND and we're understandably quite emotional about it, but it's rather peculiar because I sense that everything is fine," he continued.

"I don't experience ill. I don't experience poorly

"The signs I have are quite slight. I have some muscle deterioration in the hand and the shoulder region.

"I'm still able to performing whatever I want. And optimistically that will continue for as long as is possible."

Illness Development

MND can develop quickly.

Based on the charity MND Association, the illness takes the lives of a one-third of people within a twelve months and over half within 24 months of diagnosis, as ingestion and inhalation become harder.

Treatment can only slow worsening.

"It isn't ever me that I feel sad for," added an moved Moody.

"There's grief around having to tell my mum - as an single child - and the ramifications that has for her."

Family Consequences

Speaking from the household with his wife and their family dog by his side, Moody was overcome with emotion when he mentioned telling his sons - 17-year Dylan and adolescent Ethan - the heartbreaking news, commenting: "That represented the most difficult thing I've ever had to do."

"They're two brilliant boys and that was pretty heartbreaking," Moody said.

"We positioned ourselves on the couch in tears, Ethan and Dylan both wrapped up in each other, then the dog leapt across and started cleaning the moisture off our faces, which was rather silly."

Moody stated the priority was staying in the present.

"There exists no solution and that is why you have to be extremely strongly concentrated on just accepting and enjoying each moment now," he said.

"As my wife mentioned, we've been very fortunate that the primary choice I made when I retired from playing was to spend as much period with the kids as possible. We don't get those times back."

Sportsman Association

Elite competitors are unevenly impacted by MND, with research suggesting the rate of the disease is up to six times higher than in the broader public.

It is considered that by restricting the O2 accessible and producing injury to nerve cells, regular, strenuous physical activity can trigger the illness in those already genetically susceptible.

Rugby Professional Life

Moody, who earned 71 England appearances and toured with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was nicknamed 'Mad Dog' during his sports career, in acknowledgment of his fearless, persistent method to the game.

He played through a bone injury of his leg for a duration with Leicester and once initiated a training-ground confrontation with colleague and friend Martin Johnson when, frustrated, he discarded a training equipment and commenced engaging in collisions.

After coming on as a replacement in the Rugby World Cup championship win over Australia in 2003, he won a ball at the back of the set piece in the crucial passage of play, setting a platform for scrum-half Matt Dawson to attack and Jonny Wilkinson to execute the victory-securing drop-goal.

Backing System

Moody has previously notified Johnson, who skippered England to that victory, and a couple of other ex- colleagues about his medical situation, but the others will be discovering his news with the remainder of public.

"There will be a time when we'll need to depend on their assistance but, at the moment, just having that kind of care and acknowledgment that people are there is the crucial thing," he stated.

"This game is such a great family.

"I told to the kids the other day, I've had an amazing life.

"Even when it concluded now, I've appreciated all of it and embraced all of it and got to do it with remarkable people.

"When you have the opportunity to label your passion your profession, it's one of the greatest privileges.

"To have done it for so extended a period with the squads that I did it with was a joy. And I am aware they will desire to assist in whatever way they can and I anticipate having those conversations."