Former Wallaby Nathan Charles Reveals Motor Neurone Disease Diagnosis
The 37-year-old rugby player shared his diagnosis, describing it as 'extremely challenging and overwhelming' after months of declining health.
Former Wallabies hooker Nathan Charles, 37, has revealed he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND). Charles shared the news in an emotional interview, describing the diagnosis as "extremely challenging and overwhelming" after spending approximately eight months undergoing tests and seeing doctors without receiving answers as his health declined.
"For a long period there I just didn't know what it was," Charles stated. "I've had that many tests, seen that many doctors and it just wasn't getting any outcome. But my health just kept declining."
His immediate thoughts after receiving the diagnosis were about its impact on his family and fiancée, Steph Bailey. "I felt as though this would impact them greater than it would me," he said. "It was the people around me that I felt worse for."
Charles, who is already using mobility aids and struggling with daily tasks such as putting on shoes and socks, acknowledged that MND affects individuals differently. He is aware that there is no cure for the condition and that it causes the body to deteriorate.
This diagnosis comes after a lifetime of managing cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition Charles was diagnosed with at three months old. He pursued a professional rugby career, making his Super Rugby debut in 2010, playing four Tests for Australia, and representing the Melbourne Rebels before retiring in 2018. He noted that he was unaware of any link between cystic fibrosis and motor neurone disease, expressing a sense of irony that another condition would affect him.
Since retiring from rugby, Charles has held various roles in rugby and business. He now intends to focus on creating memories and leveraging his experiences to assist others. "I want to start doing things for the first time," he said. "I want to create memories. I want to do some really cool stuff."
His family and friends have established the Nathan Charles Foundation, which he stated would embody his values of hard work, integrity, and giving back. A GoFundMe campaign has also been initiated by those close to Charles to help cover care costs, home modifications, and essential living expenses as his condition progresses.
Charles's diagnosis follows that of NRL star Jai Arrow, who was also diagnosed with MND.
