Carl Webb has opened up on the heartbreaking reality of his motor neurone disease battle, with the footy legend admitting he is 'under no illusions' about the challenges ahead.
The former Brisbane, North Queensland and Maroons firebrand is battling motor neurone disease (MND), having been diagnosed in 2020 at the age of 39, and spoke to Nine's A Current Affair about his journey.
'At the moment I'm still quite capable and independent, however, I'm under no illusions about what's to come in the future,' he said.
'Raising a glass or bottle throughout the day those little arbitrary tasks are quite challenging now.
'I maintain a level of strength, getting out of bed every day so you can keep, sort of, and realising that you're kind of trapped in a body that's not working so well.'
Carl Webb has shared the heartbreaking reality behind his motor neurone disease battle
The Brisbane Broncos legend was one of the strongest players in the NRL in his pomp
Webb is now mostly confined to a wheelchair and his speech is starting to become affected by the disease. He is recording his voice for when it fails.
He still holds the Broncos record for bench press (180kg) and back squat (252.5kg), which he set around two decades ago.
MND is an uncommon condition that affects the brain and nerves, causing weakness that becomes worse over time.
A person can reduce the impact MND has on their daily life with treatment but there is no cure for MND, which can shorten sufferers' life expectancy significantly, although some people live with the condition for many years.
Late last year, Webb paid a visit to Kevin Walter's side and the Broncos were delighted to see the legendary figure.
'It was amazing to have Carl Webb back at Red Hill to unveil our new strength wall in the Clive Berghofer Centre gym,' the Broncos posted on social media.
'As one of the toughest to ever do it, Webby spoke to the playing group on the importance of preparation on and off the field.'
Webb attended the session in a powered chair and has admitted that many daily tasks, including simple walking, have become extremely difficult.
'Everything you do is just a battle,' Webb told the Courier Mail last year.
'Day by day, I'm on a slow decline … but I'm not about to just roll over.'
'Getting dressed in the morning is a task. I struggle to button my shirts up and pull my trousers and shorts up.
Webb, pictured with his wife, Cassie, is now mostly confined to a wheelchair
'I can still walk, but my legs are starting to get a bit sloppy. I drag my feet a bit. If I fall, it's a real struggle to get back up. I can't push myself up.
'Strength was a big thing for me, I was always strong, but now my strength is gone.
'I am losing all muscle definition. It's starting to waste away.
'Opening car doors, buttering bread, getting out of a taxi, doing the buttons on your kids' clothes. That stuff is challenging now.
'It's an effort for me to put something in the microwave. I'm certainly not making roast dinners. Even pulling a container out of the microwave is difficult.
