Ed Slater of Rugby, Gloucester is killed by the SLA. career over

Six months of tests, seizures, investigations, then the dreadful diagnosis: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as ALS. It is the disease that has placed 33-year-old English rugby player Ed Slater in Gloucester fifth in the last premiership, the top English championship. The second and third lines took the field for the last time in January, and the club had protected their privacy by limiting themselves to a list of injuries without going into details. Unfortunately, the reason for his absence is now clear. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known in Italy for the fight by Stefano Borgonovo, symbolizing the fight against the disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons (MND), nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord that allows movements. from the muscular skeleton.

black period

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Days after the shocking revelation of Ryan Jones, a Welsh rugby legend, who confessed to suffering from senile dementia, another blow affects the entire world of rugby. The news of Slater’s illness and immediate retirement (winner of an English title with Leicester Tigers in 2013, of which he was also captain) was followed by a press release from his current club: “We are deeply saddened to announce that It turns out that Ed Slater was suffering from Motor Neuron Disease (MND). The diagnosis was confirmed last week after six months of testing. All members of Gloucester – players, officials and staff – Ed, his wife Joe and their Committed to supporting the three kids in any way we can. We know it will be great for Gloucester and Leicester fans and the entire rugby community alike.” Slater was also close to the English national team: in 2015 he was included in the expanded group for that year’s home World Cup, but was ultimately not called up by then-coach Lancaster. The following year newcomer Eddie Jones also considered him, but the most beautiful knee injury caused him to miss the train of the England national team.

Health & Safety

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The English player’s diagnosis with Jones has reopened an ever-dormant debate over the dangers of headshots and their long-term consequences. If the association between trauma and illness received in his career is explored, for the former Welsh captain, and for some neurological pathologies such as dementia in general, for Ed Slater and all rugby players suffering from ALS “there is still no Certainty is not certain”, as told to the Telegraph by the My Name’5 Dodi Foundation. Founded by Scotsman Dodi Weir – one of the first rugby players, whom Borgonovo called “The Bitch” – the association all rugby sufferers from ALS Responsible for providing support and support to players, who proves to be relentlessly active in the quest for the causes and possible cures for this dreadful disease, and was the first to support Slater after being diagnosed. Over the years, the disease has also influenced Rob Burrow, Stephen Darby and South African Jost van der Westhuizen, who revolutionized the role of the scrum half, who died in 2017.

fundraising

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To support Slater and his family’s fight, Gloucester immediately launched a fundraiser that has already raised over £50,000 in 24 hours: “I want to thank everyone for their messages of support and generosity – On Twitter, Slater wrote – They are a huge force to me and my family in this hour of grief. I will face this challenge with my head held high. In the end I know I can’t win, but I will do my best. I will fight with strength. Hope is not lost.” The whole world of rugby, from Danny Cipriani to Freddie Burns, passing by the blue Jake Poledri of Slater’s team in Gloucester, who immediately shared the link to the fundraiser on the social network.