Illness
In May 2011 van der Westhuizen sought medical assistance after difficulty with slurred speech and the loss of muscle power. Tests have subsequently confirmed that he is suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) a form of motor neuron disease. Van der Westhuizen's doctor Jody Pearl told South African newspaper The Beeld: "Joost does indeed suffer from ALS, which gives him an 80 per cent chance to live between two and five years."
ALS is incurable. With symptoms including breathing difficulties, speech problems and paralysis, it is fatal in the majority of cases.
Read more about this topic: Joost Van Der Westhuizen
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