Joost........" I can't walk, eat, bath.":(

Former Springbok and Bulls legend Joost van der Westhuizen can no longer walk, bath, dress and feed himself.

Joost, 43, was diagonised with MND 3 & 1/2 years ago.He is now in stage 3 of MND and will become bed-ridden once he reaches stage 4.

"What I miss most is being able to eat without help ", Joost said in the latest edition of the YOU mag.

He is fed by business partner Johan Visser, his brother Pieter or David Thorpe, the MD of Van der Westhuizen's J9 Foundation that helps other MND sufferers.Visser also helps Joost to shower and wash himself.

" I can use my phone, make and receive calls and send text messages", said Joost. " Apart from those few things , I can do nothing for myself. I can't walk at all and can't use my arms. I always need someone to help me. I've lost 16kg and now weigh 79 kg."

Although confined to a wheelchair, Joost visited former Sharks scrum-half Ryan Walker in KZN this week. Walker also suffers from MND.

more................................. www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Joost-I-cant-eat-walk-bath-20140523

At the match between Scotland and SA at Murryfield last November he was given a standing ovation by the Scottish fans when introduced to the crowd on the touch line

Rugby players at a greater risk of paralyzing injuries than their Soccer counterparts.:S

Thoughts?

mikesack Wrote:

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> Rugby players at a greater risk of paralyzing
> injuries than their Soccer counterparts.:S
>
> Thoughts?


You would not think so the way some soccer players "dive" - I often expect the Medivac Helicopter to land on the pitch to haul the poor striker off to Intensive care in the middle of the EPL fixture- Rugby a hard game where even under 15's can die in the tackle

i was there....highly emotional



chicken 'n chips Wrote:

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> At the match between Scotland and SA at Murryfield
> last November he was given a standing ovation by
> the Scottish fans when introduced to the crowd on
> the touch line

One of the all time greats...can still remember his tackle of Lomu in the World Cup...so many players end up with life-threatening injuries and illnesses...

Stephen Hawking also has MND and at 18/19 years old was given very little time to live...he's in his 60's now...alive but not living...

Really sad to see a perfectly fit person bedridden within a year and a half

Top rugby star!!