Football legend Carl Webb makes a rare public appearance to motivate his former NRL club as he continues his life’s fight against motor neurone disease: “Tough man fighting the enemy.”
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As an NRL player, Carl Webb was fearless, but today he is fighting the battle of his life and there is no possible way to win.
The former Brisbane, North Queensland and Maroons firebrand is battling motor neurone disease (MND) and made a rare public appearance recently to help inspire the current generation of Broncos players.
MND is a rare condition that affects the brain and nerves, causing weakness that worsens over time.
A person can reduce the impact MND has on their daily life with treatment, but there is no cure for MND, which can significantly shorten the life expectancy of sufferers, although some people live with the condition for many years.
“It was amazing to have Carl Webb back at Red Hill to introduce our new wall of strength at the Clive Berghofer Center gym,” the Broncos posted on social media.
“As one of the toughest to do it, Webby spoke to the playing group about the importance of preparation on and off the field.”
Webb attended the session in an electric chair and admitted that many daily tasks, including walking, have become extremely difficult.
“Everything you do is just a battle,” Webb told the mail last year.
‘Day by day, I’m in a slow decline… but I’m not going to just turn around.’
‘Getting dressed in the morning is a chore. I struggle to button my shirt and pull up my pants and shorts.
I can still walk but my legs are starting to get a little sloppy. I dragged my feet a bit. If I fall down, it’s a real struggle to get back up. I can’t push myself up.
‘Strength was something important to me, I was always strong, but now my strength is gone.
I’m losing all muscle definition. It’s starting to wear off.
‘Opening car doors, buttering bread, getting out of a taxi, buttoning up your children’s clothes. That is a challenge now.
‘It’s an effort for me to put something in the microwave. I’m certainly not doing roast dinners. Even taking a container out of the microwave is difficult.
NRL fans were quick to praise Webb for his courage and inspiring work to raise money and awareness for MND research and support.
‘I played juniors up to sub-17 against him. Him and Matty Bowen were the two toughest guys for different reasons to fight back,” a fan posted.
‘What a legend the great Carl is. Who could forget his debut home run? Great to see him still living with MND. Inspiring,” said another.
“Tough man fighting an enemy,” posted another.
Webb was also the guest of honor at the recent Carl Webb Foundation Annual Long, Long Luncheon, which also featured former NRL stars Johnathan Thurston and Darren Lockyer.
The luncheon raised $10,000 for the MND and Me Foundation.
“We are delighted to be able to give back to the MND and Me Foundation which supports people and their families living with motor neurone disease in Queensland,” the foundation said in a statement.
‘The Foundation offers support programs and funds research into treatments and a cure for MND. Thank you for all your amazing work and continued support.’