Joost Van Der Westhuizen

Guys like Joost and Jonah have become part of the world rugby pantheon....rising above their afflictions and still fighting for a cause.

 So touched to see Joost take part in the Ice Bucket Challenge. Hats off to your Joost. You are right Moz, it is encouraging to see both Joost and Jonah being so positive after all the setbacks they have been through.

To see the burden some have to carry makes us appreciate what we have, most of the time we take it for granted. Our fine game has its inspirational characters that's for sure God Bess them.

At the risk of sounding like a savage bastard, let us not forget that he cheated on his wife, with a prostitute, while getting high! Morally I have encountered better role models. Having said that, all strength to him in dealing with his disease. Motor Neuron disease must be one of the cruelest afflictions, especially for a sportsman that made a living from his physical ability. 

I sympathise with Joost but I always find it strange that he gets so much publicity compared to another Springbok legend Andre Venter who suffers from the exact same disease and conducts himself with so much more grace and dignity than Joost does.

 Rooinek, Andre Venter is a paraplegic with the rare neurological disorder called transverse myelitis, pretty sad news, but not I think, as bad as motor neuron disease which  is an effing monstrosity .

 Nice correction Bobbok but how terrible to see these two guys and Lomu in this plight! 
We all make mistakes but are not exempt from the grace of God - even rooitwit.

In that case I stand corrected. I understood they both had Lou Gehrig's disease, whatever it's scientific name.

Either way, it sounds to me like both diseases are debilitating and I think Andre Venter deserves a mention whenever this Joost thing comes up . . . and he at least manages to keep his name out of the trash magazines.

100% Rooi. 

 According to the Motor Neurone Disease Association UK , 50 per cent of sufferers die within 14 months of diagnosis and the remainder within five years. A unique exception is Professor Stephen Hawking who has lived with MND for over 40 years, baffling doctors.

 Sadly I forgot about Ventner despite reading about him not so long ago ,a damned shame to be sure .Theres a good interview with Jonah on the foxsport site by Rod Kafer atm .I cant cast stones ,especially when a man is down .I can only go on how the man is facing up to his imminent demise .Temptation is hard to fight even for a bloke who is just young,fit ,reasonably presentable and randy throw in fame and money  ......Hawking was a bit " naughty " in his youth as well ,maybe that massiv e intellect is fighting in his corner .

 Not a time to talk of his failings. His wife I believe is looking after him. Well done to her for setting aside all the past problems and caring for Joost.  Best scrumhalf I ever saw.

 Andre Venter's disease apparently affects one in five million people ...... how's that for being sheeit outa luck . Saw him on a tv documentary a few years ago, ex AB lock Ian Jones toured SA & visited him at his home .......... a paraplegic but he looked well.
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I must admit I am always torn by the way people conduct themselves when struck by thus sort of thing.  Whilst I have the utmost sympathy for everyone suffering from any illness like this, I do question the stunts such as the latest one we are having to endure. I hate bandwagon jumping and just wish people would donate to a cause quietly and help spread the word without having to be part of something quite like this.I also abhor the fact that millions more animals will be butchered unnecessarily to try and find a cure when non animal models and suffers themselves can add far more value to any firm of research. I also think that donating to care and respite care is important. I never involve myself in these sorts of stunts. I just carry on donating as I have always done to the charities I have always supported.
MND is complex but Stephen Hawking is an anomaly. We shall see how long he continues to baffle the medical world. 
As for Joost, I am horribly saddened by his plight, but I do not forget his past behaviour to either wife...you have forgotten his first one it seems. Just because he was one of my absolute favourite players ever and I am so sorry he is suffering so badly, it doesn't mean he has suddenly become an angel. He is what he is. I feel for him so very badly. 
And poor Andre Venter. Very dignified in his plight. 
Life is not much fun for many people. 
Just remember that when you are making a fuss about losing a Rugby match ! Perspective is important !! 

 Far out mate , waddidedoo kill a chinamen or somethin' ? [ as my Aussie father -in-law was fond of saying ] .Bad enough if your just a mere mortal but for an athlete it would be unbearable I would think .I remember Jonah and the ABS in 96 spending a weekend on my cousins farm to make her wee lads final days something special [ he had one of those rare ,cruel childhood diseases that saw him shrivelling away] Sometimes people need something to prod them into doing the right thing , so long as the money does some good I guess.I have a conscience thingy that does it for me RE: charity.

No, it is no worse for an athlete. Remember that. A mere mortal has a life to live, a family to feed, in many instances and a world if opportunities too. They do not simply lift weights or run around a pitch all day long. 
I have had this conversation with many sportsmen at the onset if my illness. When they were wringing about a lay off of a few weeks. Really ? I was battling excruciating pain, the possibility of a lost limb and the loss of my independence and my life as I knew it. Why would them suffering my illness be worse than it for me ? Or any other normal person ? 
Perspective once more please. 
Just because you put men and women who catch a ball and live in a gym on a pedestal, it doesn't mean they suffer loss more than we do when this sort of rubbish hits us.