Former England Rugby Captain Reveals MND Medical Condition

Previous English leader Lewis Moody has announced he has been found to have motor neurone disease and stated he cannot yet confront the full consequences of the muscle-deteriorating condition that claimed the lives of fellow rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.

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

"There's something about facing the future and being reluctant to completely absorb that at the present time," he said.

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

Moody, talking alongside his wife Annie, says rather he feels "peaceful" as he directs his attention to his immediate wellbeing, his family and planning ahead for when the illness deteriorates.

"Perhaps that's trauma or perhaps I deal with matters uniquely, and once I have the facts, it's more manageable," he stated further.

First Signs

Moody found out he had MND after noticing some reduced power in his shoulder area while working out in the gym.

After physical therapy was ineffective for the problem, a set of scans revealed neural pathways in his brain and spinal cord had been damaged by MND.

"You're given this medical finding of MND and we're rightly quite emotional about it, but it's quite odd because I think I'm perfectly healthy," he added.

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

"My indications are very minor. I have a bit of muscle deterioration in the hand area and the shoulder.

"I'm still able to performing anything and everything. And with luck that will carry on for as long as is feasible."

Disease Advancement

MND can progress quickly.

As per the charity MND Association, the condition kills a third of people within a year and over half within two years of identification, as ingestion and inhalation become harder.

Medical care can only delay worsening.

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

"It's about the grief around having to inform my mum - as an single child - and the ramifications that has for her."

Family Impact

Talking from the residence with his wife and their canine companion by his side, Moody was consumed with emotion when he discussed breaking the news to his sons - 17-year Dylan and 15-year-old Ethan - the heartbreaking news, saying: "That represented the most difficult thing I've ever had to do."

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

"We positioned ourselves on the settee in weeping, Ethan and Dylan both wrapped up in each other, then the dog leapt across and began removing the tears off our faces, which was quite amusing."

Moody stated the focus was remaining in the moment.

"There exists no solution and that is why you have to be so intensely directed on just embracing and savoring everything now," he stated.

"As my wife mentioned, we've been truly blessed that the only real choice I made when I concluded playing was to devote as much time with the kids as attainable. We can't reclaim those times back."

Sportsman Link

Elite competitors are disproportionately affected by MND, with research proposing the prevalence of the condition is up to six times greater than in the broader public.

It is thought that by restricting the oxygen obtainable and producing harm to neural pathways, consistent, intense exercise can activate the illness in those previously vulnerable.

Athletic Career

Moody, who gained 71 England selections and traveled with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was nicknamed 'Mad Dog' during his sports career, in acknowledgment of his fearless, relentless method to the game.

He participated through a bone injury of his leg for a period with Leicester and once caused a practice altercation with team-mate and friend Martin Johnson when, irritated, he left a tackle pad and commenced throwing himself into physical contacts.

After coming on as a replacement in the Rugby World Cup final win over Australia in 2003, he claimed a ball at the rear of the throw-in in the critical moment of play, establishing a platform for scrum-half Matt Dawson to advance and Jonny Wilkinson to score the game-deciding field goal.

Support Community

Moody has earlier told Johnson, who skippered England to that title, and a few other previous team-mates about his diagnosis, but the remaining individuals will be finding out his news with the rest of public.

"There will be a moment when we'll need to rely on their backing but, at the minute, just having that kind of affection and acknowledgment that people are available is what's important," he said.

"The sport is such a excellent family.

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

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

"Being able to consider your passion your profession, it's one of the most important blessings.

"Achieving this for so long a period with the teams that I did it with was a delight. And I am aware they will desire to assist in any way they can and I anticipate having those talks."