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Tue 2 Sep 2014 | 03:29
Catch up with MND sufferering Bok legend Joost Van Der Westhuizen

3
Comments

Motor Neuron Disease has been in the spotlight of late as the ALS Ice Bucket challenge has taken over social media, with celebrities and indeed rugby players taking part to raise money and awareness. One man who knows about it first hand is Springbok legend, Joost Van Der Westhuizen.

Van Der Westhuizen, who played for South Africa 89 times between 1993 and 2003, has been diagnosed with ALS, and has made it his personal mission to improve conditions, support and facilities for other sufferers out there. He does this through awareness, and his J9 foundation.

In a fascinating and harrowing 10 minute interview with Carte Blanche, he has spoken about how this has become his life's mission, and rugby was perhaps only there to get him to this point.

The video is hosted on DSTV's website - click the image above or watch the interview here

Posted By: Grant Constable

3 Comments

  • spencah
    9:14 PM 09/09/2014

    I think it just shows how little people actually cared about ALS when they did their challenges by the lack of comments here as i think its safe to say views and comments correlate...

    This said a huge amount has been raised both in awareness and money so who cares really

  • guy
    9:51 PM 02/09/2014

    Hats of for a true hero on and of the pitch.

  • jimmy23
    6:51 PM 02/09/2014

    While ALS has been brought into the spotlight in recent times and people are more aware on how horrible a disease it is, seeing a once professional rugby player being reduced to that physically really puts it into perspective. Let's hope he gets his research centre open.

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