Former Liverpool defender Stephen Darby ‘remarkably upbeat’ about MND diagnosis

Former Burnley and Swansea midfielder Lenny Johnrose was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in March 2017. Here he explains how he has helped ex-Liverpool and England youth defender Stephen Darby cope with the condition through discussions on the phone.

Darby, 30, retired from playing at Bolton in September after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease and called Johnrose when he discovered, through a mutual
acquaintance, he had previously been diagnosed.

Read more: ‘I was sick of it – suicide was my answe’: Ex-footballer Lenny Johnrose opens up on his battle with Motor Neurone Disease

“We both felt we were helping each other, I think,” Johnrose says. “He was great. He was remarkably upbeat. It was brilliant.

“I worry for anyone who has MND. It’s been a whirlwind since he announced it, not having a lot of time for his family to get their heads around it. I worry they’ll hit a down time, I’ve hit a few of those.

“He seems to be coping really well, which is fantastic. Coming out as soon as he did is very brave, really. He seems OK and he just wants to raise awareness and do as much as he can.”