Durban - Rugby World Cup-winning scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen continues to slowly lose his battle with motor neuron disease (MND), and now uses a wheelchair at times.
Media reports from last week described how Van der Westhuizen was pushed in a wheelchair at a recent book launch. He was described as frail and appeared unable to move his hands.
The 42-year-old former rugby star was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a largely fatal form of MND, two years ago.
Van der Westhuizen’s last notable public appearance was at his induction into the Springbok Experience museum in Cape Town last month.
Van der Westhuizen was helped by his former captain, Francois Pienaar, at the ceremony, and only managed to say “I feel good” during an interview with the Cape Times.
The former number 9 also failed to make it to the Blue Bulls’ 75th anniversary celebration two weeks ago.
Nathania de Kock, the spokeswoman for J9, Van der Westhuizen’s MND foundation, said attending public events was tiring for him.
“Some days are good, some are bad,” she said.
“Unfortunately his condition has deteriorated. MND is terminal and there is no cure,” she said.
She said that Van der Westhuizen needed a wheelchair when he had to cover distances that were too tiring for him to walk.
“MND will leave you bedridden in your last year. You will only be able to communicate with your eyes, even though your mind is healthy.”
Despite this, Van der Westhuizen maintained a positive and happy attitude, she said.
The Mercury