Former English Rugby Skipper Reveals Motor Neurone Disease Medical Condition

Ex- England captain Lewis Moody has announced he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease and acknowledged he cannot yet confront the full consequences of the muscle-wasting condition that took the lives of fellow rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.

The 47-year-old, who was involved in the 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning side and won numerous English and European titles with Leicester, gave an interview to BBC Breakfast a fortnight after learning he has the disease.

"There's a certain confronting what lies ahead and being reluctant to completely absorb that at the minute," he commented.

"This doesn't mean I am unaware of where it's heading. We understand that. But there is absolutely a unwillingness to face what's ahead for now."

Moody, talking together with his wife Annie, explains conversely he feels "at ease" as he concentrates on his immediate wellbeing, his family and making preparations for when the disease progresses.

"Possibly that's surprise or maybe I handle situations differently, and when I have the details, it's easier," he continued.

Initial Indications

Moody learned he had MND after noticing some lack of strength in his upper arm while exercising in the gym.

After physiotherapy was ineffective for the problem, a number of scans showed nerve cells in his brain and spinal cord had been compromised by MND.

"You're given this condition identification of MND and we're appropriately very emotional about it, but it's quite odd because I think nothing's wrong," he continued.

"I don't experience ill. I don't feel sick

"My indications are rather minimal. I have a small amount of muscle wasting in the hand and the shoulder region.

"I'm still capable of performing all activities. And with luck that will persist for as long as is possible."

Disease Development

MND can progress swiftly.

According to the organization MND Association, the illness takes the lives of a one-third of people within a 365 days and more than half within 24 months of diagnosis, as swallowing and inhalation become increasingly challenging.

Therapy can only slow worsening.

"It's never me that I feel sad for," added an emotional Moody.

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

Personal Effect

Speaking from the household with his wife and their pet dog by his side, Moody was overwhelmed by sentiment when he mentioned telling his sons - teenage Dylan and adolescent Ethan - the devastating news, commenting: "It was the most difficult thing I've ever had to do."

"They are two excellent boys and that was pretty heartbreaking," Moody stated.

"We were seated on the settee in weeping, Ethan and Dylan both embraced in each other, then the dog leapt across and commenced cleaning the drops off our faces, which was rather silly."

Moody said the priority was staying in the now.

"There exists no solution and that is why you have to be extremely strongly focused on just embracing and enjoying everything now," he commented.

"As Annie said, we've been very blessed that the only real decision I made when I retired from playing was to allocate as much period with the kids as feasible. We can't reclaim those periods back."

Player Connection

Professional sportspeople are disproportionately affected by MND, with studies suggesting the rate of the disease is up to sixfold greater than in the general population.

It is believed that by reducing the O2 obtainable and producing injury to neural pathways, consistent, vigorous exercise can activate the condition in those already genetically susceptible.

Athletic Career

Moody, who earned 71 England selections and toured with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was called 'Mad Dog' during his playing career, in recognition of his courageous, unwavering method to the game.

He played through a stress fracture of his leg for a duration with Leicester and once caused a practice confrontation with colleague and friend Martin Johnson when, frustrated, he left a tackle pad and commenced participating in physical contacts.

After entering as a replacement in the Rugby World Cup championship win over Australia in 2003, he secured a ball at the rear of the set piece in the crucial passage of play, setting a foundation for playmaker Matt Dawson to advance and Jonny Wilkinson to score the match-winning drop-goal.

Assistance Network

Moody has earlier informed Johnson, who skippered England to that victory, and a handful of other ex- team-mates about his condition, but the rest will be finding out his news with the broader public.

"There will be a moment when we'll need to depend on their backing but, at the minute, just having that kind of love and acknowledgment that people are available is all that matters," he said.

"Rugby is such a great family.

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

"Even if it finished now, I've appreciated all of it and accepted all of it and got to do it with unbelievable people.

"When you have the opportunity to call your enthusiasm your vocation, it's one of the most important blessings.

"To have done it for so long a period with the groups that I did it with was a pleasure. And I understand they will desire to assist in every way they can and I look forward to having those talks."