Former England Rugby Captain Discloses MND Medical Condition

Previous England captain Lewis Moody has disclosed he has been found to have motor neurone disease and stated he cannot yet confront the full ramifications of the muscle-degenerating condition that took the lives of other rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.

The 47-year-old athlete, 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 14 days after discovering he has the illness.

"There's an element of confronting what lies ahead and not wanting to completely absorb that at the present time," he commented.

"This doesn't mean I don't understand where it's going. We comprehend that. But there is absolutely a reluctance to look the future in the face for now."

Moody, speaking alongside his wife Annie, states instead he feels "at ease" as he directs his attention to his current welfare, his family and making preparations for when the illness progresses.

"Perhaps that's trauma or perhaps I handle situations uniquely, and after I have the details, it's more manageable," he stated further.

First Indications

Moody discovered he had MND after observing some reduced power in his shoulder while exercising in the gym.

After physical therapy didn't help the condition, a number of scans indicated nerves in his brain and spinal cord had been compromised by MND.

"You're given this condition identification of MND and we're rightly very moved about it, but it's so strange because I sense that everything is fine," he added.

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

"My symptoms are very minor. I have a small amount of muscle deterioration in the hand area and the shoulder.

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

Disease Advancement

MND can develop rapidly.

According to the charity MND Association, the disease claims a one-third of people within a year and over half within two years of detection, as swallowing and breathing become increasingly challenging.

Medical care can only retard deterioration.

"It's not me that I feel sad for," added an affected Moody.

"It's the sorrow around having to inform my mum - as an sole offspring - and the ramifications that has for her."

Personal Effect

Talking from the residence with his wife and their family dog by his side, Moody was overwhelmed by sentiment when he mentioned telling his sons - 17-year Dylan and 15-year Ethan - the heartbreaking news, saying: "This was the toughest thing I've ever had to do."

"These are two excellent boys and that was pretty upsetting," Moody remarked.

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

Moody stated the emphasis was remaining in the now.

"There exists no cure and that is why you have to be so militantly focused on just welcoming and savoring each moment now," he said.

"As my wife mentioned, we've been truly blessed that the primary determination I made when I retired from playing was to allocate as much duration with the kids as possible. We can't reclaim those periods back."

Player Connection

Elite competitors are excessively influenced by MND, with investigations indicating the prevalence of the illness is up to sixfold higher than in the general population.

It is considered that by limiting the air available and producing damage to motor neurone cells, frequent, strenuous training can trigger the condition in those inherently vulnerable.

Sports Professional Life

Moody, who won 71 England selections and traveled with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was called 'Mad Dog' during his sports career, in honour of his courageous, relentless style to the game.

He participated through a bone injury of his leg for a period with Leicester and once caused a training-ground altercation with colleague and friend Martin Johnson when, frustrated, he abandoned a practice gear and began throwing himself into tackles.

After coming on as a reserve in the Rugby World Cup championship win over Australia in 2003, he won a ball at the back of the throw-in in the crucial moment of play, creating a foundation for half-back Matt Dawson to attack and Jonny Wilkinson to kick the game-deciding field goal.

Assistance Community

Moody has already told Johnson, who skippered England to that title, and a couple of other previous colleagues about his condition, but the rest 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 acknowledgment that people are there is the crucial thing," he stated.

"The sport is such a wonderful community.

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

"Even if it concluded now, I've enjoyed all of it and accepted all of it and got to do it with remarkable people.

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

"To have done it for so considerable a time with the teams that I did it with was a delight. And I know they will want to assist in whatever way they can and I await having those talks."