Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody has offered an update on his health as he continues to battle motor neurone disease (MND). Moody was diagnosed with MND in September last year and went public with the news a month later.
Understanding Motor Neurone Disease
MND affects motor nerves in the spinal cord and the brain, impacting a person’s ability to walk, talk, breathe and swallow through muscle weakness, stiffness and paralysis. Currently, there is no cure for the condition, but treatment can slow down the progression of the life-limiting disease.
Moody's Symptoms and Diagnosis
Moody noticed the symptoms when he was exercising in the gym, where he became aware of weakness in his shoulder. The 47-year-old played for Leicester Tigers and Bath during his illustrious career in rugby, and has now taken on the responsibility of helping raise awareness for those diagnosed with the condition.
Now, a few months on from announcing his diagnosis, Moody has opened up on how it continues to affect his day-to-day life.
“My finger strength is slightly diminished, but otherwise, hopefully, there is nothing else at the moment,” Moody said in an interview with The Guardian. “I can still do everything. It’s just a case of managing energy because, if you get depleted, it drops away quickly. I have to sleep more regularly and listen to my body but, touch wood, the disease is moving slowly.”
Determination to Help Others
Moody went on to explain why he is determined to help other people who have been diagnosed with MND. He said: “The times in my life where I felt really alive was when I felt the greatest adversity. For me, there’s probably no greater adversity than what I’m facing now. But so many people are doing amazing things in the MND space all the time. Many of them have no platform and don’t get attention. But I get the opportunity to help those individuals – and I want to impact that space with real purpose for all of us living with MND.”
