Former Wallabies hooker Nathan Charles has revealed a tragic diagnosis of Motor Neuron Disease.
Charles, who played four Tests in the famous gold jersey back in 2014, revealed the heart-breaking news in an interview to former Wallabies international and Stan Sport commentator Justin Harrison.
The news was first shared in Australia this morning, by national news outlet Nine
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Charles expressed how he had experienced a decline in his health, with visible signs increasing over the past eight months. The 37-year-old retired from professional rugby in 2018, following a career spanning Perth Spirit, Gloucester, Greater Sydney Rams, Clermont Auvergne, Bath, Wasps, Western Force and Melbourne Rebels.
“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.”
Charles' first thoughts after hearing the news from his doctor, were selflessly focused on his family.
“I felt as though this would impact them [his family] greater than it would me. So, yeah, that was my first thought,” he said.
“I had a bad feeling going into that appointment and my fears were realised. It was the people around me that I felt worse for.”
Charles has received an immediate rally of support from the rugby family, as he becomes yet another case of a former professional rugby player to suffer from this awful condition.
Jai Arrow, Rob Burrow, Lewis Moody, Carl Webb, Joost van der Westhuizen and Doddie Weir are among other players to have been diagnosed with MND.
“My first question was ‘how long have I got?’" Charles added, in the interview with Nine and Stan.
"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. Your physicality, your body deteriorates and, yeah, your life cuts short.”
Unfortunately, Charles' family have previously been told that he has a life-altering condition, as the former front rower was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at just three months old.
He overcame the odds to enjoy a decorated career at the peak of rugby, after his parents were told that he may not live past his 10th birthday. Charles has since used his global platform as a pro rugby player to spread awareness for people living with cystic fibrosis.
Now, he wants to do the same for those impacted 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.”
