Lewis Moody 'Overwhelmed' by Support Since MND Diagnosis
Former England captain Lewis Moody has expressed gratitude for the "wonderful" support he has received since being diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND). The 47-year-old, a member of England's 2003 World Cup-winning team, revealed his condition in September.
A GoFundMe page established by Moody's friends and former Leicester Tigers teammates, Geordan Murphy and Leon Lloyd, has raised over £200,000 to assist him and his family.
"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."
"It's been a strange time but for me and my family, we've just felt that warm embrace of everyone coming around us and supporting us."
"My background is in rugby and people talk about that community but the MND community that I'm now a part of has just really embraced us and we feel really lucky as a family to be a part of it."
Moody first noticed weakness in his shoulder during gym training. After physiotherapy did not help, scans revealed damage to the nerves in his brain and spinal cord, confirming the MND diagnosis.
Support and Community
- More than £200,000 raised on GoFundMe by friends and former teammates
- Moody and his family feel embraced by both rugby and MND communities
- Constant support has been emotionally overwhelming but uplifting
Background and Diagnosis
- Member of England’s 2003 World Cup-winning rugby squad
- Noticed initial symptoms as shoulder weakness during training
- Physiotherapy ineffective, nerve damage found in brain and spinal cord scans
Author’s summary: Lewis Moody has been deeply moved by the extensive and heartfelt support from both the rugby and MND communities since his motor neurone disease diagnosis.