Summary:
- Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody has spoken publicly about his recent motor neurone diagnosis.
- His symptoms are currently mild, and he is focused on spending time with his family and living in the moment.
- The 47-year-old has also opened up about his emotional challenges and his plans to connect with others affected by MND.
Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody has revealed he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), a condition that affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord and gradually weakens the muscles.
The 47-year-old, who was part of England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning team, sharing the news with BBC Breakfast two weeks after receiving the diagnosis.
“I Don’t Feel Unwell”
There’s something about looking the future in the face and not wanting to really process that at the minute. It’s not that I don’t understand where it’s going. We understand that. But there is absolutely a reluctance to look the future in the face for now.
Moody said he first noticed weakness in his shoulder while training. When physiotherapy didn’t help, further scans confirmed nerve damage consistent with MND.
You’re given this diagnosis of MND and we’re rightly quite emotional about it, but it’s so strange because I feel like nothing’s wrong. I don’t feel ill. I don’t feel unwell. My symptoms are very minor. I have a bit of muscle wasting in the hand and the shoulder. I’m still capable of doing anything and everything. And hopefully that will continue for as long as is possible.
“Embracing and Enjoying Everything Now”
Speaking from home alongside his wife, Annie, Moody said his focus now is on his family and the present moment.
Maybe that’s shock or maybe I process things differently, and once I have the information, it’s easier. There is no cure and that is why you have to be so militantly focused on just embracing and enjoying everything now.
Telling his family was the hardest part.
It’s never me that I feel sad for. It’s the sadness around having to tell my mum, as an only child, and the implications that has for her.
He described breaking the news to his sons, 17-year-old Dylan and 15-year-old Ethan, as “the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do”.
We sat on the couch in tears… then the dog jumped over and started licking the tears off our faces.
Moody said he’s still coming to terms with his diagnosis but plans to reach out to others living with motor neurone disease, including his former teammate Ed Slater.
It is daunting because I love being active and embracing life. There will be a time when I can [reach out]. And I would like to as well. If they’re watching, I’m not ready yet, but I absolutely will be.