Former English Rugby Union Leader Discloses MND Medical Condition

Ex- England leader Lewis Moody has announced he has been identified with motor neurone disease and acknowledged he cannot yet face the full ramifications of the muscle-degenerating condition that ended the lives of fellow rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.

The middle-aged sportsman, who was involved in the 2003 championship side and won multiple English and European titles with Leicester, spoke to BBC Breakfast 14 days after discovering he has the disease.

"There's something about confronting what lies ahead and being reluctant to really process that at the minute," he said.

"It isn't that I fail to comprehend where it's heading. We understand that. But there is certainly a reluctance to look the future in the face for now."

Moody, speaking alongside his wife Annie, states conversely he feels "calm" as he focuses on his current health, his family and planning ahead for when the disease worsens.

"Possibly that's trauma or possibly I handle situations in another way, and when I have the details, it's simpler," he added.

Initial Symptoms

Moody learned he had MND after detecting some lack of strength in his shoulder while exercising in the gym.

After physical therapy didn't help the condition, a number of scans showed neural pathways in his neurological system had been compromised by MND.

"You're given this diagnosis of MND and we're understandably very emotional about it, but it's so strange because I feel like everything is fine," he continued.

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

"The signs I have are rather minimal. I have a bit of muscle wasting in the fingers and the upper arm.

"I continue to be competent to performing whatever I want. And with luck that will persist for as long as is attainable."

Disease Advancement

MND can develop quickly.

Based on the non-profit MND Association, the illness claims a 33% of people within a year and over half within 730 days of detection, as ingestion and breathing become increasingly challenging.

Treatment can only retard deterioration.

"It isn't ever me that I am upset for," stated an moved Moody.

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

Family Impact

Conversing from the family home with his wife and their pet dog by his side, Moody was overwhelmed by sentiment when he mentioned informing his sons - 17-year Dylan and adolescent Ethan - the devastating news, stating: "This was the toughest thing I've ever had to do."

"They are two brilliant boys and that was rather devastating," Moody remarked.

"We were seated on the sofa in crying, Ethan and Dylan both hugging in each other, then the dog leapt across and started removing the drops off our faces, which was rather funny."

Moody explained the focus was remaining in the now.

"There is no cure and that is why you have to be so intensely focused on just accepting and savoring each moment now," he commented.

"As Annie said, we've been truly lucky that the primary choice I made when I left playing was to spend as much duration with the kids as attainable. We won't recover those periods back."

Athlete Association

Top-level athletes are disproportionately affected by MND, with research suggesting the rate of the disease is up to six times elevated than in the general population.

It is believed that by restricting the air obtainable and producing harm to motor neurone cells, frequent, strenuous exercise can trigger the disease in those inherently predisposed.

Sports Professional Life

Moody, who earned 71 England selections and toured with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was dubbed 'Mad Dog' during his sports career, in acknowledgment of his brave, unwavering style to the game.

He competed through a fracture of his leg for a duration with Leicester and once caused a training-ground confrontation with colleague and friend Martin Johnson when, frustrated, he discarded a tackle pad and started throwing himself into tackles.

After entering as a reserve in the Rugby World Cup championship win over Australia in 2003, he claimed a ball at the rear of the throw-in in the crucial passage of play, setting a platform for scrum-half Matt Dawson to advance and Jonny Wilkinson to execute the match-winning drop-goal.

Assistance Network

Moody has already notified Johnson, who skippered England to that victory, and a couple of other previous players about his condition, but the remaining individuals will be discovering his news with the remainder of public.

"We'll have a time when we'll need to rely on their support but, at the moment, just having that sort of affection and recognition that people are available is what's important," he said.

"This game is such a great family.

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

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

"When you get to consider your enthusiasm your career, it's one of the most significant blessings.

"To have done it for so considerable a duration with the squads that I did it with was a delight. And I am aware they will wish to support in every way they can and I await having those discussions."