Former Wallabies hooker Nathan Charles has revealed his heartbreaking motor neurone diagnosis in a candid interview.
The 37-year-old, who played four Tests for Australia in 2014, shared the diagnosis with the public for the first time in an interview with h Stan Sport’s Justin Harrison.
Charles retired from professional rugby in 2018, but over the last eight months he had started experiencing a few health challenges, admitting that he initially “didn’t know what it was”.
“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’ immediate first thought was how his family were going to cope following the diagnosis.
“Because I felt as though this would impact them 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.”
“My first question was ‘how long have I got?’ I know that every person with MND has a different journey, a different path and it affects everyone differently,” he continued.
“I know there’s no cure and… your physicality, your body deteriorates and, yeah, your life cuts short.”
Charles has lived a remarkable life, after being diagnosed with with cystic fibrosis at just three-months-old. His family were warned that he would not live past the age of 10.
His love for rugby started as a child, and eventually he made his Super Rugby debut for the Western Force in 2010 and is believed to be the only person in the world with cystic fibrosis to play any contact sport professionally.
“If you look at the symptoms and classic outcomes of cystic fibrosis, it’s not a great scenario from a sporting point of view. But he seems to have defied science and defied logic,” Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie said in 2014.
Charles reflected on this in the interview, and hopes that he can also be an inspiration to someone with MND.
“I won’t say the word funny, but, you know, I was born with a life-threatening illness,” he reflected.
“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.”
He shared that his family, friends and fiancée Steph have been a huge support system for him, as the condition impacts his mobility.
“I’m getting around with mobility aids. I struggle to do a lot of daily tasks and putting on shoes and socks and stuff like that is a bit of a challenge.
“So it’s already impacted me, and I’m going to have my ups and downs.”
At some point he started believing that he was “doing things for the last time,” but is learning to challenge that mindset.
“Instead, I really want to turn that around and flip the script a bit and say, you know, ‘I want to start doing things for the first time’.
“I want to create memories. I want to do some really cool stuff… and trying to use my story to inspire, motivate. You’ve still got to have purpose in life… otherwise, what are you living for? Initially, I want to make sure my family is OK.
“Once I know the people around me are OK, I think I’ll be OK.”
The former rugby player is working with his support network to create the Nathan Charles Foundation, “that embodies my values around hard work, integrity and giving back essentially… so hopefully there’s something good to come from it.”
His friends have set up a GoFundMe to help ease his financial burdens, and he ended his interview by thanking all rugby fans for their support over the years.
“If you see me, just come say hello, and I’m happy to have a chat. Everyone’s facing their own challenges in life,” he said.
“I just want to make as many memories and opportunities happen as possible.”
Image: Stan
