Ex-Wallaby Nathan Charles Diagnosed With Motor Neurone Disease After Health Decline

• Former Wallabies hooker Nathan Charles has opened up about a diagnosis that has left him overwhelmed
• Charles, who overcame a life-threatening illness from birth, says he had months of unanswered tests before the verdict
• The retired rugby player revealed his first thoughts were not for himself but for the people closest to him

Former Wallabies hooker Nathan Charles has confirmed he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), describing the experience as "extremely challenging and overwhelming" and, at times, "quite cruel."

Charles, who earned four Test caps for Australia in 2014, announced in an interview with Stan Sport, revealing that his health had been deteriorating for the past eight months without a clear explanation.

"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."

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The diagnosis comes after Charles had already spent much of his life confronting serious illness. He was born with cystic fibrosis, identified at three months old, and his family were told he may not survive past his tenth birthday. Instead, he went on to make his Super Rugby debut for the Western Force in 2010 and became an advocate for others living with the condition.

In the interview, he reflected on the irony of a second serious illness emerging after decades of managing the first.

"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."

How did Charles respond to news of MND diagnosis

Charles said that upon receiving the MND diagnosis, his immediate concern was for those around him rather than himself.

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"I felt as though this would impact them more than it would me. 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."

He acknowledged that there is currently no cure for MND and that its progression differs from person to person.

"Your physicality, your body deteriorates and, yeah, your life cuts short," he said.

Charles retired from professional rugby in 2018 having played 83 times for the Force and twice for the Melbourne Rebels. Two of his four Test appearances came against the All Blacks, including a 12-12 draw. As he did during his years living with cystic fibrosis, Charles indicated his intention to use his public profile to raise awareness for those affected by MND.

Source: Briefly News