https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/carl-webb-opens-up-on-battle-with-motor-neurone-disease/news-story/8c5fd61e95cfc6ece514339cc78e3f96?fbclid=IwAR0DGHUthL87fFuZD5G6EJ4zDnPPSWZoMMjhouEchKqJn2sRcEBmmDpcGCw
In the midst of his most daunting and confronting battle yet, Carl Webb is attacking it as he did on the field. Head on. Once a feared warrior of the North Queensland Cowboys and Brisbane Broncos, the frame which made him a State of Origin star has slowly deteriorated ever since his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease. Every day is a test of will, a challenge of his mental fortitude to even complete fundamental tasks that were previously purely instinctive. Simply brushing his teeth wears him down. As he gets into an Uber prior to sharing his story with The Townsville Bulletin, he asks his driver for assistance fastening his seatbelt. Webb said he first felt the impacts of the disease in his hands, and more than a year on from his diagnosis they have spread to his legs. But as much as his physical state is diminishing, his mind appears as sharp as ever. The fighting spirit which thrust him into the NRL spotlight has never left, determined that however inevitable his condition may be he will not be defeated on the psychological front. “My strength is deteriorating somewhat, your muscles waste away and wither away. It’s a real conscious effort to do the fundamental things you do every day,” Webb said. “There’s no tricks, I just deal with it every day. I’m not fooling myself, it is a nasty thing and I do have daily reminders just with things like strength, which used to be one of my strengths in the weights room. “That’s something that has completely left me now. I don’t think there’s any short cuts, it’s dealing with it every day and dealing with it head on. “It is a degenerative disease so it does slowly work away at you. You have daily reminders, the fundamental things you do like waking up out of bed and brushing your teeth are a real challenge for me now. “You have to remain strong.”
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https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/big-read-life-changing-tragedy-puts-wheelchair-rugby-league-duo-on-world-cup-path/news-story/a60f1b257e73147b99be223daf470b02?fbclid=IwAR2PdXWTDwaaIH1f85nhVAdXUm-FAXTMVMkg9zZsrIP3eb-MC_7PZUJEuvM
Whether it was a twist of fate or coincidental timing which led Darren McKenna to wheelchair rugby league he is not sure. However the way in which he has seen his son excel out of his own tragedy has him at peace with the events which changed his life. After losing his leg in a 2006 motor accident four hours west of Townsville, McKenna admits the anguish took a massive toll on him. He was stranded in a hospital bed, a man who had always been on the move now reduced to “tearing his hair out” unsure of what his next move would be. But eventually he found wheelchair rugby league, a sport in which his son Bayley has jumped on board with. Now, the junior McKenna is thriving. Bayley was an integral member of the Northern Marlins recent State Championship success, coached by his father, and has now been named to line up for the Queensland State of Origin side. World Cup selection also beckons. A partnership which has been flourishing for 15 years now is on the cusp of international glory. |
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