Previous English Rugby Union Leader Discloses Motor Neurone Disease Medical Condition

Ex- England skipper Lewis Moody has disclosed he has been found to have motor neurone disease and stated he cannot yet deal with the full implications of the muscle-wasting condition that took the lives of other rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.

The 47-year-old athlete, who was a member of the 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning side and won multiple English and European titles with Leicester, gave an interview to BBC Breakfast two weeks after discovering he has the illness.

"There's a certain facing the future and being reluctant to really process that at the moment," he stated.

"This doesn't mean I am unaware of where it's going. We understand that. But there is definitely a unwillingness to confront the future for now."

Moody, conversing alongside his wife Annie, states rather he feels "at ease" as he focuses on his present health, his family and planning ahead for when the condition deteriorates.

"Maybe that's trauma or possibly I handle situations differently, and after I have the facts, it's more manageable," he stated further.

Initial Signs

Moody learned he had MND after observing some weakness in his shoulder while exercising in the gym.

After rehabilitation was ineffective for the condition, a set of scans revealed nerves in his central nervous system had been damaged by MND.

"You receive this condition identification of MND and we're rightly quite affected about it, but it's rather peculiar because I feel like I'm perfectly healthy," he continued.

"I don't sense unwell. I don't sense poorly

"My symptoms are quite slight. I have a small amount of muscle loss in the hand and the shoulder.

"I continue to be competent to performing anything and everything. And optimistically that will continue for as long as is possible."

Disease Progression

MND can advance rapidly.

Based on the non-profit MND Association, the disease claims a third of people within a year and more than half within two years of detection, as eating and respiration become harder.

Medical care can only delay deterioration.

"It's not me that I experience sorrow for," commented an affected Moody.

"There's sorrow around having to tell my mum - as an sole offspring - and the implications that has for her."

Personal Effect

Speaking from the residence with his wife and their family dog by his side, Moody was overcome with sentiment when he mentioned informing his sons - 17-year Dylan and adolescent Ethan - the traumatic news, stating: "This was the most difficult thing I've ever had to do."

"These are two brilliant boys and that was rather heartbreaking," Moody stated.

"We sat on the settee in tears, Ethan and Dylan both hugging in each other, then the dog jumped over and commenced licking the moisture off our faces, which was quite funny."

Moody explained the focus was staying in the now.

"There is no cure and that is why you have to be so intensely concentrated on just accepting and enjoying each moment now," he commented.

"As Annie said, we've been very fortunate that the sole decision I made when I left playing was to allocate as much time with the kids as possible. We can't reclaim those times back."

Player Association

Top-level competitors are excessively affected by MND, with research indicating the prevalence of the disease is up to six times higher than in the wider community.

It is considered that by restricting the air accessible and producing harm to motor neurone cells, frequent, strenuous physical activity can activate the disease in those inherently predisposed.

Sports Career

Moody, who won 71 England selections and competed with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was called 'Mad Dog' during his playing career, in acknowledgment of his brave, persistent method to the game.

He played through a fracture of his leg for a period with Leicester and once initiated a workout confrontation with colleague and friend Martin Johnson when, frustrated, he left a tackle pad and began throwing himself into physical contacts.

After coming on as a reserve in the Rugby World Cup championship win over Australia in 2003, he claimed a ball at the end of the throw-in in the decisive passage of play, setting a foundation for half-back Matt Dawson to attack and Jonny Wilkinson to execute the game-deciding drop-goal.

Support Community

Moody has already informed Johnson, who skippered England to that title, and a handful of other previous colleagues about his condition, but the remaining individuals will be learning his news with the remainder of public.

"We'll have a moment when we'll need to lean on their backing but, at the minute, just having that kind of affection and acceptance that people are present is what's important," he said.

"Rugby is such a wonderful family.

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

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

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

"Achieving this for so long a duration with the squads that I did it with was a delight. And I am aware they will wish to support in every way they can and I look forward to having those conversations."