- Steph Houghton’s husband was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2018
- His condition has worsened and he recently required a “life-changing” procedure.
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Former England captain Steph Houghton has revealed that her husband underwent a “life-changing” procedure due to his deteriorating condition amid his ongoing battle with motor neurone disease (MND).
Stephen Darby, who came through Liverpool’s academy before playing for various football clubs, retired from the game in September 2018 after being diagnosed with a rare illness.
Houghton and Darby, both 26, had married earlier that year, just months before her devastating MND diagnosis.
Darby has lived with this rare disease that affects the brain and nerves for the past six years, but her condition has worsened in recent months.
Houghton, who captained the Lionesses between 2014 and 2021, has revealed how Darby had a feeding tube inserted after a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy to help his body receive the nutrients needed to survive.
“What you want is for Stephen to live as normal a life as possible, to be able to eat as much food as he can and be mindful of that calorie intake,” he said. the guardian.
Steph Houghton’s husband, Stephen Darby (left), was diagnosed with MND in 2018.
Darby recently needed a “life-changing” procedure as his condition has worsened
Darby attended last month’s women’s match between England and Germany with Houghton.
Houghton has admitted it has been a difficult few months for her family as Darby now needs to be fed through a tube.
‘Over the last few months it became a bit risky to have food and that’s when the decision had to be made. We need Stephen to keep his weight off and eat. It hasn’t been a fantastic few months because these decisions are life-changing and take a long time to get used to. But in the end it’s the best for him. It allows you to relax a little more.
“There are good days and bad days, but I think we have adapted very well over the last six years. Obviously it is a difficult journey, but I want to be honest about the actual process and raise awareness about the disease. It is very important that we discuss the reality of the MNE so we can help people in the future.
“For the first few years it was very difficult to take it in. You don’t want to believe it because you think, ‘Why us? We’re young and Stephen should keep playing football. It’s not fair. But the more you insist on it, the more it hurts you. So I learned how important it is to be positive.”
Darby, who played for Swindon Town, Notts County, Rochdale, Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers before his career was cut short, has aimed to raise awareness of MND since his diagnosis.
He raised £130,000 alongside Marcus Stewart, another former footballer who suffers from MND, by completing a 178-mile charity walk from Anfield to Valley Parade last year.
He also encouraged Houghton to continue playing football, before he finally hung up his boots at the end of last season.
Houghton is now an ambassador for Manchester City, while she also began her coaching journey, working as a pundit for Sky and starting a podcast with Ian Wright.
Darby and Marcus Stewart (left) completed a charity walk last year to raise awareness about MND.
Houghton captained England for seven years and Darby encouraged him to continue playing after his diagnosis.
Houghton retired earlier this year, but has continued to work to help Darby in recent months.
Houghton admits to feeling guilty when she has to leave Darby behind because of her job, but praised the support network the couple has that has helped them get through such a difficult period.
“When I go to games or have to stay overnight, I feel a little guilty because I’m not with Stephen,” Houghton added. ‘It takes a lot out of you emotionally.
‘These last few months have been challenging because you always have that worry in the back of your head if you’re not there and something happens. You just want everything to be okay, but I think we’re getting more routine.
‘Our families have been absolutely unreal as we have such a good support network. “It allows me to do what I need to do and for Stephen to get the best care possible.”