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Johannesburg - Former Springbok rugby player Joost van der Westhuizen will fly to America on Sunday night where he will be treated for motor neuron disease (MNS).
Dr Jody Pearl - a neurologist at the Sunninghill hospital in Johannesburg - confirmed to Rapport on Friday that she will accompany Van der Westhuizen to the Cleveland hospital in Ohio, where the world's best neurologists work.
"In South Africa, there are only a few specialists in this field that has to look after thousands of people with muscular diseases. In that (Cleveland) hospital, you have 20 doctors working on one patient," said Pearl.
"And they are all people who specialise in this specific muscular disease."
Pearl is the only person who will travel with Joost on his eight-day long trip.
"Joost will receive treatment for the disease which we suspect he suffers from, MNS.
"And with this treatment (in America) we will attempt to get the best possible medical assistance for him," she said.
Joost first started having problems with his muscles in December last year, but only sought medical assistance in April this year. MNS was provisionally diagnosed.
Joost was very emotional when Rapport phoned him on Saturday.
"I'm hoping for the best," is all he wanted to state officially.
Me Bridget van Oerle - Joost's spokesperson - says he is very nervous for what awaits him in the US.
He has already lost the use of his one hand.
Johannesburg - Former Springbok rugby player Joost van der Westhuizen will fly to America on Sunday night where he will be treated for motor neuron disease (MNS).
Dr Jody Pearl - a neurologist at the Sunninghill hospital in Johannesburg - confirmed to Rapport on Friday that she will accompany Van der Westhuizen to the Cleveland hospital in Ohio, where the world's best neurologists work.
"In South Africa, there are only a few specialists in this field that has to look after thousands of people with muscular diseases. In that (Cleveland) hospital, you have 20 doctors working on one patient," said Pearl.
"And they are all people who specialise in this specific muscular disease."
Pearl is the only person who will travel with Joost on his eight-day long trip.
"Joost will receive treatment for the disease which we suspect he suffers from, MNS.
"And with this treatment (in America) we will attempt to get the best possible medical assistance for him," she said.
Joost first started having problems with his muscles in December last year, but only sought medical assistance in April this year. MNS was provisionally diagnosed.
Joost was very emotional when Rapport phoned him on Saturday.
"I'm hoping for the best," is all he wanted to state officially.
Me Bridget van Oerle - Joost's spokesperson - says he is very nervous for what awaits him in the US.
He has already lost the use of his one hand.
