Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody has spoken movingly about the support he has received following his MND diagnosis, describing the response as “wonderful” and “overwhelming”.
The 47-year-old, who helped England secure their 2003 Rugby World Cup victory, revealed in September that he had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, a rare and incurable condition that progressively damages the nervous system.
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“It’s been a whirlwind,” Moody told BBC Breakfast. “It’s been wonderful in the sense of the outpouring of love and support, which has just been constant. It’s been slightly overwhelming at times but it all comes from such a beautiful and wonderful place.”
‘A warm embrace’ from the MND community
More than £200,000 has been raised through a GoFundMe campaign launched by friends and former Leicester Tigers teammates Geordan Murphy and Leon Lloyd to support Moody and his family.
Moody said the backing he has received from fans and the MND community has been a source of strength.
“For me and my family, we’ve just felt that warm embrace of everyone coming around us and supporting us,” he said. “My background is in rugby and people talk about that community, but the MND community that I’m now a part of has really embraced us, and we feel really lucky as a family to be part of it.”
Moody, who has two teenage sons, first realised something was wrong when he noticed weakness in his shoulder during gym training. Physiotherapy offered little improvement, and scans later confirmed nerve damage in his brain and spinal cord.
Living with MND
Although MND can progress quickly, Moody says his current symptoms are relatively mild, affecting movement in his hand and shoulder. The mental impact, however, has been harder to navigate.
“I have small symptoms in the hand and shoulder,” he said. “The only real effect it has on you is in the back of your mind. It lingers. Trying to park that and focus on the everyday, getting the most joy that you physically can out of every day, feeling that you have a purpose and applying yourself.”
Motor neurone disease remains incurable, though treatment can slow its progression. Studies suggest elite athletes may be disproportionately affected, with research indicating a higher incidence among footballers and rugby players. The reasons are still being explored, though it is thought that intense physical exertion and repeated injury may increase risk among those genetically predisposed.
More information on MND and support services is available from the Motor Neurone Disease Association
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[Image Credit | Sky News]
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