A former Wallabies hooker has revealed he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
Nathan Charles, who played four Tests in 2014, told Stan Sport he had experienced a decline in his health over the past eight months.
“For a long period there I just didn’t know what it was,” Charles said. “I’ve had that many tests, seen that many doctors and it just wasn’t getting any outcome. But my health just kept declining.
“And then recently, in the last few weeks, I was actually diagnosed with motor neurone disease, which has been extremely challenging and overwhelming … And, yeah, just at times quite cruel.”
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Charles had previously overcome a significant health challenge after being diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at three months old. His family were warned he might not live past his 10th birthday, but he went on to make his Super Rugby debut for the Western Force in 2010.
He later used his profile to advocate for people living with cystic fibrosis and now wants to do the same for those affected by MND.
“I won’t say the word funny, but, you know, I was born with a life-threatening illness,” he said. “I’ve sort of given that a red-hot crack and now this other thing comes along. I find it quite ironic that something else would strike me down rather than what I’ve sort of been dealing with my whole life.”
Charles said his family was his first thought after receiving the diagnosis.
“I felt as though this would impact them greater than it would me,” he said. “I had a bad feeling going into that appointment and my fears were realised. It was the people around me who I felt worse for.”
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Charles said he asked his doctor, “how long have I got?” after learning he had MND.
“I know that every person with MND has a different journey, a different path and it affects everyone differently. I know there’s no cure and … your physicality, your body deteriorates and, yeah, your life cuts short.”
Charles played 83 times for the Force and twice for the Melbourne Rebels before retiring in 2018. Two of his four Test caps came against the All Blacks, including the 12-12 draw.
Photo: Matt King/Getty Images
The post Ex-Wallaby shares ‘cruel’ MND diagnosis appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
A former Wallabies hooker has revealed he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
The post Ex-Wallaby shares ‘cruel’ MND diagnosis appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
