Former English Rugby Union Captain Reveals MND Medical Condition

Previous English captain Lewis Moody has revealed he has been identified with motor neurone disease and admitted he cannot yet deal with the full implications of the muscle-deteriorating condition that ended the lives of fellow rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.

The middle-aged sportsman, who was part of the World Cup champion 2003 side and lifted multiple English and European titles with Leicester, spoke to BBC Breakfast 14 days after learning he has the condition.

"There's something about facing the future and hesitating to really process that at the minute," he said.

"It's not that I am unaware of where it's heading. We grasp that. But there is definitely a unwillingness to face what's ahead for now."

Moody, talking alongside his wife Annie, explains conversely he feels "at ease" as he directs his attention to his present welfare, his family and making preparations for when the condition deteriorates.

"Maybe that's trauma or maybe I deal with matters in another way, and once I have the information, it's more manageable," he continued.

First Indications

Moody found out he had MND after observing some weakness in his shoulder area while working out in the gym.

After physical therapy failed to improve the issue, a set of scans showed nerves in his central nervous system had been damaged by MND.

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

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

"My indications are quite slight. I have a bit of muscle deterioration in the hand and the shoulder.

"I remain competent to performing whatever I want. And optimistically that will persist for as long as is feasible."

Illness Advancement

MND can develop quickly.

According to the charity MND Association, the condition claims a one-third of people within a 365 days and above half within 24 months of detection, as ingestion and respiration become harder.

Treatment can only slow deterioration.

"It's not me that I experience sorrow for," added an moved Moody.

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

Family Effect

Speaking from the residence with his wife and their pet dog by his side, Moody was overwhelmed by sentiment when he spoke about informing his sons - 17-year-old Dylan and adolescent Ethan - the heartbreaking news, commenting: "This was the hardest thing I've ever had to do."

"These are two excellent boys and that was quite devastating," Moody stated.

"We were seated on the settee in crying, Ethan and Dylan both wrapped up in each other, then the dog leapt across and began removing the tears off our faces, which was rather funny."

Moody said the priority was being in the moment.

"There is no solution and that is why you have to be so intensely directed on just welcoming and appreciating all aspects now," he said.

"According to Annie, we've been really blessed that the sole determination I made when I left playing was to devote as much duration with the kids as attainable. We don't get those periods back."

Athlete Association

Top-level competitors are excessively affected by MND, with research proposing the prevalence of the illness is up to six times greater than in the general population.

It is thought that by restricting the oxygen available and creating harm to neural pathways, regular, vigorous exercise can initiate the disease in those already predisposed.

Rugby Professional Life

Moody, who earned 71 England selections and competed with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was dubbed 'Mad Dog' during his professional days, in recognition of his brave, persistent approach to the game.

He competed through a stress fracture of his leg for a period with Leicester and once caused a training-ground scuffle with team-mate and friend Martin Johnson when, irritated, he left a tackle pad and started throwing himself into collisions.

After coming on as a substitute in the Rugby World Cup final win over Australia in 2003, he secured a ball at the rear of the set piece in the decisive phase of play, setting a foundation for half-back Matt Dawson to advance and Jonny Wilkinson to kick the game-deciding drop-goal.

Backing Network

Moody has already informed Johnson, who captained England to that victory, and a few other former team-mates about his condition, but the others will be learning his news with the remainder of public.

"There shall be a time when we'll need to rely on their assistance but, at the present, just having that sort of care and acceptance that people are present 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 extraordinary life.

"Even should it ended now, I've valued all of it and embraced all of it and got to do it with remarkable people.

"When you get to call your enthusiasm your career, it's one of the most important privileges.

"Achieving this for so extended a duration with the squads that I did it with was a delight. And I am aware they will wish to help in any way they can and I anticipate having those discussions."