Moody Shows Fletcher That All Is Far From Lost

The news that Manchester United and Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher faces a fight to save his career at the age of 27 after it was revealed that he is suffering from a debilitating bowel condition will have been met with great interest by both Sir Steve Redgrave and Lewis Moody.

Fletcher has been forced to take an indefinite break whilst he deals with ulcerative colitis which, at its worst, can leave you bed-ridden and with little control of your life. Redgrave managed dealing with colitis while winning five Olympic gold medals to become our greaest Olympian while Moody continues to suffer from the condition but has learnt how to control it and still play Premiership and, until recently, test rugby.

Having just written Moody's autobiography I am extremely familiar with the details of his condition which are unpleasant, demeaning and indeed career-threatening unless the right diet, drugs and lifestyle is adopted.

The added problem up until now is that bowel conditions, and the subsequent results, is a fairly taboo subject, especially among men, and especially among well-known sportsmen.

In reality tens of thousands of men suffer from colitis and keep quiet through their own, perceived shame and a fear that others will mock. Redgrave, and in particular, Moody, have been big and brave enough to provide honest accounts of their condition and, certainly in the case of Moody, have received many responses back from fellow sufferers as a result.

I wish Fletcher well in his battle with the illness and hope he makes a speedy recovery. He would do well to contact Moody, as well, because the flanker who won the World Cup and led England in the recent World Cup has proved that it is a hurdle, but one that can be cleared.