Previous England skipper Lewis Moody has announced he has been found to have motor neurone disease and stated he cannot yet face the full implications of the muscle-deteriorating condition that claimed the lives of other rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.
The 47-year-old athlete, who was involved in the World Cup champion 2003 side and won multiple English and European titles with Leicester, appeared on BBC Breakfast a fortnight after finding out he has the condition.
"There's an element of confronting what lies ahead and being reluctant to really process that at the moment," he commented.
"It isn't that I am unaware of where it's heading. We understand that. But there is absolutely a reluctance to look the future in the face for now."
Moody, talking together with his wife Annie, explains instead he feels "calm" as he concentrates on his immediate wellbeing, his family and getting ready for when the disease progresses.
"Maybe that's surprise or possibly I deal with matters in another way, and when I have the information, it's more manageable," he continued.
Early Symptoms
Moody found out he had MND after observing some lack of strength in his shoulder area while training in the gym.
After rehabilitation was ineffective for the issue, a number of scans showed nerves in his central nervous system had been compromised by MND.
"You receive this medical finding of MND and we're appropriately very moved about it, but it's rather peculiar because I feel like I'm perfectly healthy," he remarked.
"I don't experience ill. I don't experience poorly
"The signs I have are rather minimal. I have some muscle deterioration in the hand and the upper arm.
"I'm still able to performing whatever I want. And with luck that will persist for as long as is attainable."
Illness Advancement
MND can progress swiftly.
According to the charity MND Association, the disease claims a one-third of people within a 365 days and over half within 730 days of identification, as swallowing and breathing become harder.
Therapy can only retard deterioration.
"It's never me that I am upset for," commented an moved Moody.
"It's the sorrow around having to tell my mum - as an single child - and the implications that has for her."
Family Consequences
Speaking from the household with his wife and their canine companion by his side, Moody was consumed with emotion when he mentioned breaking the news to his sons - teenage Dylan and adolescent Ethan - the heartbreaking news, saying: "It was the toughest thing I've ever had to do."
"They're two brilliant boys and that was pretty devastating," Moody remarked.
"We sat on the sofa in tears, Ethan and Dylan both embraced in each other, then the dog bounded over and began cleaning the moisture off our faces, which was quite funny."
Moody stated the focus was staying in the now.
"There exists no cure and that is why you have to be so strongly focused on just accepting and appreciating everything now," he commented.
"According to Annie, we've been truly lucky that the only real decision I made when I retired from playing was to spend as much period with the kids as attainable. We can't reclaim those times back."
Athlete Association
Elite athletes are disproportionately affected by MND, with investigations indicating the prevalence of the illness is up to sixfold elevated than in the broader public.
It is considered that by restricting the air available and creating injury to nerve cells, frequent, strenuous training can initiate the illness in those previously vulnerable.
Sports Playing Days
Moody, who won 71 England caps and traveled with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was nicknamed 'Mad Dog' during his professional days, in honour of his brave, relentless method to the game.
He competed through a bone injury of his leg for a time with Leicester and once sparked a training-ground scuffle with colleague and friend Martin Johnson when, frustrated, he abandoned a practice gear and began engaging in tackles.
After appearing as a reserve in the Rugby World Cup decisive match win over Australia in 2003, he secured a ball at the end of the line-out in the crucial passage of play, creating a base for scrum-half Matt Dawson to advance and Jonny Wilkinson to execute the match-winning drop kick.
Backing Network
Moody has already informed Johnson, who skippered England to that title, and a couple of other ex- players about his medical situation, but the remaining individuals will be learning his news with the remainder of public.
"There will be a period when we'll need to lean on their assistance but, at the present, just having that type of love and acceptance that people are present is what's important," he said.
"Rugby is such a excellent family.
"I said to the kids the other day, I've had an incredible life.
"Even when it ended now, I've valued all of it and accepted all of it and got to do it with unbelievable people.
"When you have the opportunity to label your love your vocation, it's one of the most important privileges.
"Achieving this for so considerable a duration with the teams that I did it with was a delight. And I know they will desire to support in any way they can and I look forward to having those discussions."
