Nathan Charles reveals MND diagnosis after months of declining health

Former Australia hooker Nathan Charles has revealed that he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease at the age of 37. The Guardian reported that the four-cap Wallaby disclosed the diagnosis during a Stan Sport interview with former Australia international Justin Harrison, describing it as a recent development.

Watch the highlights:

According to ABC News, Charles said he had been dealing with health difficulties for eight months before receiving the diagnosis in the past few weeks. He described undergoing repeated tests and consulting numerous doctors without finding an explanation, while his condition continued to worsen. He retired from professional rugby in 2018.

Charles also outlined the effect on his everyday independence. ABC reported that he is using mobility aids and finding routine activities difficult, including putting on shoes and socks. His account described limitations he is already experiencing, rather than only concerns about what might happen later, and he acknowledged that he expects fluctuations in how he copes.

The Guardian reported that his immediate concern after the diagnosis was for his family, including his fiancee, Steph. Charles said he asked how much time he had left, but stressed that the course of MND differs from person to person. He described the emotional weight of receiving the news and the difficulty of facing a condition for which there is currently no cure.

Charles built a professional contact-sport career while living with cystic fibrosis. His playing record included Super Rugby spells with the Western Force and Melbourne Rebels, as well as periods in England and France. The Guardian reported that his work after retirement included serving as Rugby WA chief executive and helping to run rugby at Sydney University.

ABC also recalled the response to his achievements before his first Test in 2014. Then Australia coach Ewen McKenzie had highlighted how unusual it was for someone with cystic fibrosis to reach that level of sport. McKenzie's assessment reflected the medical obstacles Charles had already faced before representing his country, years before the latest diagnosis he has now made public.