'I'm not scared to die' - Lawrence on living with MND

Former England and Gloucestershire fast bowler David ‘Syd’ Lawrence says he is not afraid of dying and is "up for the fight" after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).

The 60-year-old was diagnosed with the disease earlier this year. The rare, degenerative condition affects the brain and nerves and there is no cure.

Former England and Leeds rugby league player Rob Burrow passed away from the illness earlier this year, while former Scotland rugby union forward Doddie Weir died in November 2022, six years after his diagnosis.

In a BBC Breakfast interview Lawrence - who played five Test matches for England and took 625 wickets in 280 matches during a 16-year career at Gloucestershire - said he has been inspired by Burrow and has spoken to his friend and former team-mate Kevin Sinfield.

"Rob Burrow said you’ve got to be brave and you do," Lawrence said.

"Every day is a struggle but we live to fight and enjoy the moments.

"You have demons in your head but I choose to live life. That’s the only option."

'Park your ego at the door'

Lawrence, the Gloucestershire president, with James Bracey after the club won their first T20 Blast title earlier this month

Lawrence was struggling to walk last Christmas after a slow recovery from a knee replacement and by March of this year was admitted for three months in hospital.

He was diagnosed with MND and says the changes in his life have been tough to take.

"I got the dreadful news in June that I had the disease which is a tough one," he said.

"If you’ve been a big strong man all your life and this comes and hits you, it's a tough one to take. Really tough. I have never relied on anybody to do anything for me.

"I always wanted to do things for people and now I have to rely on people to do things for me. I need a carer every day to dress me, to shower me. You’ve got to park your ego at the door and get on with it.

"Am I scared to die? No.

"Most people are scared of not knowing but I know how I am going to die. You can’t look too much into the future, that will scare you. We are all going to die. I just know how I am going to die. I’m not scared."

Lawrence played five Test matches for England and took 625 wickets in 280 matches during a 16-year career at Gloucestershire

Burrow and Sinfield raised more than £15m for MND charities and Lawrence is planning fundraising events of his own.

He says the voices of sports stars affected by the disease can continue to help raise awareness and help others in the same situation.

"I was aware of MND through Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow, with all their publicity, and high-profile people like Doddie Weir. Did I ever think that would be me? No, never," Lawrence said.

"I have spoken to Kevin and he was a great help. He offered me and my wife support and contacts, even arranging for us to speak to Rob Burrow’s wife.

"That was really good of him. He is a remarkable human being for what he has done. We have to give a voice to other people who are not high profile and are struggling.

"If you can help one person to get through it, that's great.

"Sportsmen and women have a strong attitude, we overcome obstacles in our life, have different goals.

"This is the toughest one but we will find a way to get through it. We are fighters and we have big hearts and big spirits.

"We are up for the fight. We may not win the fight but we are up for the fight."

David 'Syd' Lawrence was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) earlier this year