Former English Rugby Union Captain Discloses MND Medical Condition

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

The middle-aged sportsman, 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 14 days after learning he has the disease.

"There's a certain facing the future and hesitating to fully comprehend that at the moment," he commented.

"It's not that I am unaware of where it's going. We understand that. But there is definitely a reluctance to confront the future for now."

Moody, talking alongside his wife Annie, explains conversely he feels "at ease" as he focuses on his present wellbeing, his family and planning ahead for when the illness worsens.

"Possibly that's trauma or perhaps I process things differently, and when I have the details, it's easier," he added.

Initial Signs

Moody discovered he had MND after observing some lack of strength in his shoulder while training in the gym.

After rehabilitation was ineffective for the problem, a number of scans indicated neural pathways in his neurological system had been affected by MND.

"You receive this diagnosis of MND and we're rightly extremely affected about it, but it's rather peculiar because I think I'm perfectly healthy," he remarked.

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

"My symptoms are rather minimal. I have a small amount of muscle wasting in the hand area and the upper arm.

"I'm still competent to performing anything and everything. And hopefully that will continue for as long as is attainable."

Condition Development

MND can develop quickly.

According to the organization MND Association, the condition takes the lives of a third of people within a year and more than half within 24 months of detection, as swallowing and breathing become harder.

Medical care can only delay deterioration.

"It's not me that I feel sad for," commented an emotional Moody.

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

Family Effect

Conversing from the family home with his wife and their canine companion by his side, Moody was overwhelmed by emotion when he spoke about informing his sons - teenage Dylan and 15-year Ethan - the devastating news, saying: "This was the toughest thing I've ever had to do."

"They are two excellent boys and that was rather upsetting," Moody remarked.

"We were seated on the couch in weeping, Ethan and Dylan both embraced in each other, then the dog jumped over and began cleaning the tears off our faces, which was quite funny."

Moody explained the focus was remaining in the present.

"There exists no treatment and that is why you have to be so intensely focused on just welcoming and appreciating all aspects now," he commented.

"As Annie said, we've been really blessed that the primary choice I made when I concluded playing was to spend as much time with the kids as attainable. We won't recover those times back."

Sportsman Link

Professional sportspeople are excessively influenced by MND, with studies proposing the incidence of the illness is up to 600% higher than in the wider community.

It is thought that by restricting the oxygen available and producing damage to nerve cells, consistent, vigorous exercise can trigger the disease in those already predisposed.

Athletic Playing Days

Moody, who earned 71 England appearances and competed with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was nicknamed 'Mad Dog' during his sports career, in recognition of his courageous, unwavering method to the game.

He participated through a fracture of his leg for a duration with Leicester and once initiated a practice confrontation with colleague and friend Martin Johnson when, annoyed, he abandoned a tackle pad and commenced engaging in physical contacts.

After coming on as a reserve in the Rugby World Cup final win over Australia in 2003, he won a ball at the back of the set piece in the decisive moment of play, setting a base for playmaker Matt Dawson to advance and Jonny Wilkinson to kick the victory-securing drop-goal.

Backing Community

Moody has earlier told Johnson, who captained England to that title, and a handful of other former team-mates about his condition, but the others will be discovering his news with the remainder of public.

"There shall be a moment when we'll need to rely on their assistance but, at the present, just having that sort of love and recognition that people are present is what's important," he commented.

"Rugby is such a excellent community.

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

"Even if it finished now, I've valued all of it and embraced all of it and got to do it with exceptional people.

"When you have the opportunity to label your love your career, it's one of the most significant blessings.

"Having accomplished it for so extended a time with the squads that I did it with was a pleasure. And I am aware they will want to support in whatever way they can and I anticipate having those talks."