Ex- English Rugby Union Captain Discloses Motor Neurone Disease Medical Condition

Previous English leader Lewis Moody has announced he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease and stated he cannot yet deal with the full consequences of the muscle-degenerating condition that ended the lives of other rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.

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

"There's something about looking the future in the face and hesitating to really process that at the present time," he stated.

"This doesn't mean I am unaware of where it's heading. We comprehend that. But there is certainly a unwillingness to look the future in the face for now."

Moody, talking with his wife Annie, says conversely he feels "peaceful" as he focuses on his current health, his family and making preparations for when the illness deteriorates.

"Possibly that's shock or perhaps I process things uniquely, and when I have the details, it's simpler," he stated further.

Initial Symptoms

Moody learned he had MND after observing some weakness in his upper arm while exercising in the gym.

After physiotherapy was ineffective for the problem, a set of scans indicated neural pathways in his neurological system had been damaged by MND.

"You receive this diagnosis of MND and we're appropriately extremely affected about it, but it's so strange because I think I'm perfectly healthy," he added.

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

"My indications are very minor. I have some muscle deterioration in the fingers and the upper arm.

"I'm still capable of doing anything and everything. And hopefully that will continue for as long as is possible."

Condition Advancement

MND can develop quickly.

As per the organization MND Association, the disease kills a 33% of people within a year and above half within two years of identification, as eating and inhalation become harder.

Medical care can only slow decline.

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

"It's about the sorrow around having to break the news to my mum - as an sole offspring - and the implications 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 feeling when he mentioned informing his sons - 17-year Dylan and adolescent Ethan - the heartbreaking news, saying: "That represented the most difficult thing I've ever had to do."

"These are two wonderful boys and that was quite heartbreaking," Moody stated.

"We were seated on the sofa in crying, Ethan and Dylan both embraced in each other, then the dog leapt across and started removing the tears off our faces, which was quite amusing."

Moody explained the emphasis was remaining in the moment.

"There exists no solution and that is why you have to be so intensely directed on just accepting and enjoying everything now," he said.

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

Sportsman Association

Professional competitors are unevenly impacted by MND, with studies suggesting the rate of the illness is up to six times elevated than in the general population.

It is considered that by reducing the oxygen obtainable and creating injury to nerve cells, frequent, strenuous physical activity can activate the condition in those already genetically susceptible.

Athletic Professional Life

Moody, who won 71 England caps and competed with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was dubbed 'Mad Dog' during his sports career, in recognition of his fearless, unwavering style to the game.

He participated through a fracture of his leg for a period with Leicester and once initiated a practice scuffle with team-mate and friend Martin Johnson when, annoyed, he discarded a tackle pad and started engaging in tackles.

After entering as a substitute in the Rugby World Cup final win over Australia in 2003, he secured a ball at the end of the throw-in in the crucial moment of play, establishing a foundation for scrum-half Matt Dawson to snipe and Jonny Wilkinson to score the game-deciding drop-goal.

Support System

Moody has previously told Johnson, who led England to that title, and a couple of other ex- colleagues about his diagnosis, but the remaining individuals will be learning his news with the remainder of public.

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

"This game is such a wonderful community.

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

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

"Being able to call your enthusiasm your career, it's one of the most important privileges.

"Having accomplished it for so extended a period with the groups that I did it with was a joy. And I understand they will wish to help in whatever way they can and I anticipate having those conversations."