Ex- England Rugby Union Leader Reveals MND Medical Condition

Ex- England leader Lewis Moody has revealed he has been identified with motor neurone disease and stated he cannot yet face the full implications of the muscle-degenerating condition that claimed the lives of other rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.

The 47-year-old athlete, who was part of the World Cup champion 2003 side and won numerous English and European titles with Leicester, gave an interview to BBC Breakfast a fortnight after discovering he has the disease.

"There's something about confronting what lies ahead and hesitating to completely absorb that at the minute," he stated.

"It's not that I am unaware of where it's progressing. We grasp that. But there is definitely a reluctance to look the future in the face for now."

Moody, talking together with his wife Annie, explains rather he feels "calm" as he directs his attention to his current wellbeing, his family and making preparations for when the condition deteriorates.

"Maybe that's surprise or perhaps I handle situations uniquely, and after I have the information, it's more manageable," he added.

Early Signs

Moody learned he had MND after observing some reduced power in his shoulder while working out in the gym.

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

"You receive this diagnosis of MND and we're rightly quite affected about it, but it's quite odd because I sense that I'm perfectly healthy," he continued.

"I don't sense sick. I don't feel unwell

"The signs I have are very minor. I have a small amount of muscle loss in the hand area and the upper arm.

"I continue to be capable of accomplishing anything and everything. And optimistically that will carry on for as long as is possible."

Illness Advancement

MND can progress swiftly.

Based on the organization MND Association, the condition takes the lives of a third of people within a twelve months and more than half within 24 months of detection, as ingestion and inhalation become harder.

Medical care can only slow decline.

"It isn't ever me that I experience sorrow for," commented an moved Moody.

"It's about the sadness around having to break the news to my mum - as an sole offspring - and the ramifications that has for her."

Personal Consequences

Talking from the residence with his wife and their pet dog by his side, Moody was overcome with emotion when he spoke about informing his sons - teenage Dylan and 15-year-old Ethan - the traumatic news, commenting: "It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do."

"They are two excellent boys and that was rather devastating," Moody stated.

"We sat on the sofa in tears, Ethan and Dylan both wrapped up in each other, then the dog bounded over and commenced cleaning the moisture off our faces, which was quite funny."

Moody explained the priority was being in the present.

"There is no treatment and that is why you have to be very intensely directed on just embracing and appreciating everything now," he commented.

"As my wife mentioned, we've been truly lucky that the sole decision I made when I left playing was to spend as much time with the kids as attainable. We can't reclaim those periods back."

Player Link

Professional competitors are unevenly influenced by MND, with studies indicating the prevalence of the condition is up to six times elevated than in the general population.

It is believed that by restricting the O2 available and producing injury to motor neurone cells, frequent, intense training can initiate the disease in those inherently genetically susceptible.

Sports Professional Life

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

He competed through a fracture of his leg for a time with Leicester and once caused a workout scuffle with team-mate and friend Martin Johnson when, annoyed, he left a tackle pad and commenced engaging in physical contacts.

After entering as a substitute in the Rugby World Cup championship win over Australia in 2003, he claimed a ball at the rear of the line-out in the crucial passage of play, creating a base for scrum-half Matt Dawson to snipe and Jonny Wilkinson to execute the victory-securing field goal.

Support System

Moody has earlier told Johnson, who led England to that championship, and a couple of other ex- team-mates about his condition, but the rest will be finding out his news with the rest of public.

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

"This game is such a excellent community.

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

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

"When you get to consider your love your profession, it's one of the most significant privileges.

"Achieving this for so long a duration with the squads that I did it with was a pleasure. And I am aware they will want to help in any way they can and I await having those talks."