Joost diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease

[Chickref]

Missed this one in the news, but Springbok legend Joost van der Westhuizen has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease. Which is the same thing Stephen Hawking has. It somehow seems perverse that a guy who was so tough could end up so physically crippled just a little while into the future.

I was a big fan of his as a kid, even though he played for the 'Boks. I'll be praying for him.

It does make you wonder about the long term effects of playing rugby though... how many knocks to the head is one too many?

 

[Drift]

In an interview he has given apparently the doctor who diagnosed him has given him 3 years to live, such a sad way for a former great of the game to go.

 

[Simon Thomas]

Very sad news, and especially for one of Rugby's great scrum halves, and who set standards others are still trying to emulate.

My thoughts go out to him and his family & friends.

 

[Lee Lifeson-Peart]

Very sad indeed.

A former playing colleague of mine has it and he has gone from diagnosis to Stephen Hawking like - in a chair with head restraint - in about 2 years. He was walking with sticks about a year ago.:sad:

Andre Venter (Jim Telfer's favourite Springbok) has a similar degenerative disease as well.

 

[Robert Burns]

I echo the comments above, a true great of the game!

 

[Stoo48]

Awful news. My old club in the UK do a huge amount or fundraising for MND, we have a former player now living in the South West who has this. Its taking him slowly from us.

See www.fatherabraham.co.uk and lend your support to the fight!