The rugby world was hit with another devastating announcement of a retired player being diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND). Former British and Irish Lion, England Captain and 2003 World Cup winner Lewis Moody joins an ever-growing list of former rugby internationals to be handed the diagnosis.
Moody has led an active life since his retirement, with the diagnosis coming as a shock to him and his family. It came after physiotherapy failed to solve issues he was having with his shoulder. Further tests revealed that the weakness was a result of deterioration in the nerves in his brain and spinal cord due to MND.
With very little known about the causes, there is some evidence that suggests that high-impact sports, such as rugby, can make an individual more likely to develop MND. However, other studies refute these claims. Consequently, there is currently no known cure for MND, leading to lives being cut short because of this illness.
Scotland’s Doddie Weir, Rugby League’s Rob Burrow and South African scrum half Joost Van Der Westhuizen have all died from the disease. Whilst former second row Ed Slater is currently living with the disease and has been confined to a wheelchair.
The support of the rugby community for those with MND can already be seen with the ‘My Name is Doddie’ Foundation and the inspiring efforts of Kevin Sinfield on behalf of his best friend, Rob Burrow. Further to this, the second 745 is set to take place this November. A combination of the numbers worn by Weir, Burrow and Slater, the game brings Rugby League and Rugby Union together, with the common aim of finding a cure for this devastating disease. Moody had been set to play in the inaugural match last year but had to withdraw due to a knee injury. He now finds himself a part of the match’s cause rather than a supporter.
Moody also expressed a desire to do what he can to learn about the disease, while continuing with his own charity, the Lewis Moody Foundation, which supports those affected by brain tumours. This is a shocking and uncertain time in the world of rugby, but the hope is that with all these charitable efforts, some progress can be made.
Image credits: “Lewis Moody 2015” by Land Rover MENA is licensed under CC BY 2.0.