Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody has opened up about the emotional moment he told his children about his MND diagnosis. Moody, 47, shared that breaking the news to his family was far tougher than receiving the diagnosis himself. Last year, the rugby legend was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, a devastating condition with no known cure, that affects the nerves controlling movement.
Moody first noticed something was amiss when he experienced weakness in the gym, leading him to consult a specialist. After coming to terms with the diagnosis, he faced the heart-wrenching task of telling his wife, Annie, and their children, Dylan and Ethan. “When I got the news, I was alright about it actually. It was still a shock but I’d prepared myself for it. It was tough for Annie. You’re told it’s the end of the world,” he recounted.
Accidentally pocket-dialling his son on the day he was set to reveal the news added another layer of difficulty to the situation. Dylan, at 18, had some understanding of MND, while Ethan, 15, did not, making their reactions all the more poignant. Dylan handled it with a composed demeanour, whereas Ethan was overcome with raw emotion. Moody described this as “the worst bit by far – seeing the reaction of the kids and their sadness.”
Since retiring from a storied rugby career in 2012, where he was dubbed ‘Mad Dog’ for his fearless play, Moody has faced his greatest challenge yet. Despite the journey ahead, the World Cup winner remains focused on spending quality time with his loved ones. As he battles this monumental fight, both Dylan and Ethan are doing their best to cope with the news.
Lewis Moody’s openness about his experience brings attention to MND, fostering awareness and understanding about the condition. His bravery serves as inspiration, reminding us all of the importance of family and resilience in the face of adversity.