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

Ex- England leader Lewis Moody has announced he has been found to have motor neurone disease and admitted he cannot yet deal with the full ramifications of the muscle-wasting condition that claimed the lives of other rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.

The 47-year-old, who was a member of the 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning side and won several English and European titles with Leicester, appeared on BBC Breakfast two weeks after discovering he has the disease.

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

"This doesn't mean I am unaware of where it's going. We understand that. But there is definitely a hesitation to face what's ahead for now."

Moody, talking alongside his wife Annie, says rather he feels "peaceful" as he focuses on his immediate wellbeing, his family and planning ahead for when the disease progresses.

"Perhaps that's shock or maybe I handle situations differently, and when I have the facts, it's more manageable," he continued.

First Signs

Moody learned he had MND after detecting some reduced power in his shoulder while training in the gym.

After rehabilitation was ineffective for the condition, a series of scans indicated nerve cells in his brain and spinal cord had been damaged by MND.

"You're presented with this condition identification of MND and we're understandably quite affected about it, but it's rather peculiar because I feel like everything is fine," he continued.

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

"My symptoms are rather minimal. I have a small amount of muscle loss in the hand area and the shoulder region.

"I remain competent to doing all activities. And optimistically that will carry on for as long as is attainable."

Disease Progression

MND can develop rapidly.

As per the charity MND Association, the disease takes the lives of a 33% of people within a 365 days and above half within two years of identification, as ingestion and respiration become harder.

Treatment can only slow worsening.

"It isn't ever me that I experience sorrow for," commented an affected Moody.

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

Personal Impact

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

"They're two brilliant boys and that was quite upsetting," Moody said.

"We sat on the settee in crying, Ethan and Dylan both embraced in each other, then the dog bounded over and commenced removing the drops off our faces, which was quite funny."

Moody said the focus was remaining in the moment.

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

"According to Annie, we've been really fortunate that the sole decision I made when I retired from playing was to devote as much duration with the kids as possible. We won't recover those years back."

Player Association

Elite athletes are unevenly influenced by MND, with research suggesting the prevalence of the disease is up to sixfold elevated than in the broader public.

It is believed that by limiting the oxygen accessible and causing damage to neural pathways, frequent, intense physical activity can initiate the disease in those inherently predisposed.

Sports Playing Days

Moody, who earned 71 England selections and traveled with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was nicknamed 'Mad Dog' during his playing career, in acknowledgment of his brave, persistent style to the game.

He competed through a fracture of his leg for a period with Leicester and once sparked a workout scuffle with team-mate and friend Martin Johnson when, frustrated, he left a training equipment and began engaging in physical contacts.

After appearing as a replacement in the Rugby World Cup final win over Australia in 2003, he won a ball at the rear of the line-out in the decisive moment of play, setting a base for half-back Matt Dawson to snipe and Jonny Wilkinson to score the match-winning drop kick.

Assistance Community

Moody has earlier informed Johnson, who captained England to that championship, and a few other previous team-mates about his diagnosis, but the others will be learning his news with the broader public.

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

"This game is such a great community.

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

"Even when it concluded now, I've valued all of it and embraced all of it and got to do it with unbelievable people.

"Being able to call your love your vocation, it's one of the most significant honors.

"Having accomplished it for so long a duration with the groups that I did it with was a joy. And I know they will want to support in any way they can and I anticipate having those discussions."