Ex- English Rugby Leader Reveals Motor Neurone Disease Medical Condition

Ex- England skipper Lewis Moody has announced he has been found to have motor neurone disease and admitted he cannot yet confront the full implications of the muscle-deteriorating condition that claimed the lives of other rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.

The middle-aged sportsman, who was part of the 2003 championship side and lifted several English and European titles with Leicester, appeared on BBC Breakfast 14 days after discovering he has the disease.

"There's something about facing the future and hesitating to fully comprehend that at the present time," he stated.

"This doesn't mean I am unaware of where it's progressing. We comprehend that. But there is certainly a hesitation to confront the future for now."

Moody, speaking with his wife Annie, explains instead he feels "calm" as he directs his attention to his immediate health, his family and making preparations for when the condition deteriorates.

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

Initial Symptoms

Moody learned he had MND after detecting some weakness in his shoulder while working out in the gym.

After physical therapy was ineffective for the issue, a series of scans indicated nerves in his neurological system had been damaged by MND.

"You receive this diagnosis of MND and we're rightly very moved about it, but it's rather peculiar because I sense that I'm perfectly healthy," he added.

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

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

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

Condition Development

MND can advance rapidly.

According to the charity MND Association, the condition takes the lives of a one-third of people within a year and more than half within 24 months of detection, as ingestion and inhalation become harder.

Therapy can only retard deterioration.

"It's never me that I am upset for," commented an moved Moody.

"It's the sadness around having to inform my mum - as an only child - and the implications that has for her."

Household Consequences

Speaking from the family home with his wife and their canine companion by his side, Moody was overwhelmed by sentiment when he mentioned informing his sons - teenage Dylan and 15-year-old Ethan - the heartbreaking news, commenting: "That represented the most difficult thing I've ever had to do."

"These are two brilliant boys and that was quite heartbreaking," Moody remarked.

"We were seated on the settee in tears, Ethan and Dylan both embraced in each other, then the dog jumped over and commenced removing the tears off our faces, which was quite silly."

Moody explained the focus was remaining in the moment.

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

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

Player Association

Elite competitors are excessively impacted by MND, with investigations indicating the incidence of the illness is up to sixfold higher than in the broader public.

It is believed that by reducing the O2 obtainable and creating injury to motor neurone cells, frequent, strenuous exercise can activate the disease in those previously predisposed.

Rugby Career

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 professional days, in honour of his courageous, relentless approach to the game.

He participated through a bone injury of his leg for a time with Leicester and once sparked a training-ground scuffle with colleague and friend Martin Johnson when, annoyed, he abandoned a tackle pad and started engaging in tackles.

After appearing as a replacement in the Rugby World Cup final win over Australia in 2003, he won a ball at the rear of the throw-in in the critical passage of play, setting a foundation for scrum-half Matt Dawson to advance and Jonny Wilkinson to score the game-deciding drop kick.

Support Community

Moody has previously told Johnson, who captained England to that championship, and a handful of other ex- players about his condition, but the others will be finding out his news with the broader public.

"We'll have a moment when we'll need to rely on their assistance but, at the moment, just having that type of love and acceptance that people are present is all that matters," he commented.

"Rugby is such a excellent community.

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

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

"When you have the opportunity to consider your enthusiasm your career, it's one of the most important privileges.

"To have done it for so long a time with the squads that I did it with was a delight. And I know they will desire to help in any way they can and I anticipate having those talks."