The former Liverpool star was diagnosed with the rare illness in September 2018
Comments
Sport
Stephen Darby and Steph Houghton
Stephen Darby and partner Steph Houghton(Image: PA)
Former England Women's captain Steph Houghton has spoken candidly about her husband Stephen Darby's struggle with motor neurone disease. The former Liverpool defender retired from the sport in September 2018 following his diagnosis with this life-altering condition.
The couple had been married just three months when Darby, now aged 36, learned of his illness, after initially noticing a weakness in his arms. Since then, he has battled with the disease that progressively impairs the brain and nervous system, which has seen his health deteriorate notably over the past few months.
While there is no existing cure for MND, treatments are available to manage symptoms and improve quality of life, according to the MND Association. It's estimated that as many as 5,000 UK adults can be living with the disease at any given time.
READ MORE: 'He started all this' - Alexis Mac Allister speaks out on Argentina 'anger' with RaphinhaREAD MORE: Liverpool seek permission for major upgrade ahead of new Adidas deal
"We are so desperate for that cure, we are so desperate for money to be put into research to allow families to have that little bit of hope," shared Houghton. "How do you ever describe the changes that we've had as a family? It's so hard to see your husband who had so much promise in his football career.
"To see that being taken away from him, but also the simple tasks that we take for granted - being able to walk, being able to have food, being able to get up the stairs. I'm not going to lie and I'm not going to sit here and pretend that I have the best days, because I don't."
Supporters of the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation are set to embark on a 178-mile walk commencing at Wembley and journeying past 26 additional football stadiums. Formed in 2019, the foundation saw ex-Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers defender Stephen Darby team up with Chris Rimmer, a British Forces veteran.
Even with the daily challenges of living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), Darby and his wife Steph Houghton remain hopeful about starting a family.
In an emotional disclosure, Houghton shared the difficulty of observing her husband's health decline as they gear up for a charity walk this weekend aimed at generating funds for the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.
In conversation with ITV, former Manchester City player Houghton, who retired last year after an illustrious ten-year stint, added: "It was always a dream of ours to be parents one day and that's still possible. It's something that we'll always continue to speak about.
"I love him to absolute bits, I know he's as strong as ever. He's willing to fight this for as long as possible."
Darby, taking to Instagram in December 2023, revealed the increased risk of severe injuries he faces, unable to cushion falls with hands or arms due to muscle weakness wrought by MND.
Alongside Marcus Stewartanother former professional footballer grappling with MNDDarby successfully completed a demanding 178-mile charity march from Anfield to Valley Parade, Bradford City's stadium, last year, amassing £130,000.