Former English skipper Lewis Moody has revealed he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease and acknowledged he cannot yet confront the full implications of the muscle-degenerating condition that ended the lives of fellow rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.
The middle-aged sportsman, who was a member of the 2003 championship side and won numerous English and European titles with Leicester, gave an interview to BBC Breakfast two weeks after discovering he has the illness.
"There's an element of confronting what lies ahead and hesitating to completely absorb that at the moment," he commented.
"This doesn't mean I am unaware of where it's progressing. We grasp that. But there is certainly a reluctance to face what's ahead for now."
Moody, conversing alongside his wife Annie, says instead he feels "calm" as he concentrates on his current welfare, his family and getting ready for when the condition worsens.
"Possibly that's surprise or maybe I handle situations uniquely, and when I have the facts, it's simpler," he continued.
First Signs
Moody discovered he had MND after detecting some reduced power in his shoulder while working out in the gym.
After physiotherapy failed to improve the problem, a number of scans showed neural pathways in his neurological system had been compromised by MND.
"You're presented with this medical finding of MND and we're rightly extremely emotional about it, but it's quite odd because I think I'm perfectly healthy," he added.
"I don't experience unwell. I don't feel unwell
"The signs I have are very minor. I have a bit of muscle loss in the hand and the shoulder.
"I continue to be able to doing anything and everything. And hopefully that will persist for as long as is feasible."
Condition Advancement
MND can progress rapidly.
As per the organization MND Association, the illness takes the lives of a 33% of people within a twelve months and above half within 24 months of detection, as eating and breathing become increasingly challenging.
Therapy can only retard decline.
"It isn't ever me that I am upset for," added an affected Moody.
"There's sorrow around having to break the news to my mum - as an sole offspring - and the ramifications that has for her."
Personal Effect
Speaking from the household with his wife and their canine companion by his side, Moody was overcome with feeling when he discussed informing his sons - teenage Dylan and 15-year Ethan - the traumatic news, saying: "It was the most difficult thing I've ever had to do."
"They're two excellent boys and that was rather devastating," Moody stated.
"We were seated on the settee in tears, Ethan and Dylan both hugging in each other, then the dog bounded over and commenced removing the tears off our faces, which was rather silly."
Moody explained the focus was being in the present.
"There is no solution and that is why you have to be extremely strongly concentrated on just embracing and appreciating everything now," he stated.
"As Annie said, we've been truly lucky that the primary determination I made when I left playing was to spend as much period with the kids as attainable. We don't get those times back."
Sportsman Link
Elite athletes are disproportionately affected by MND, with research suggesting the incidence of the condition is up to sixfold greater than in the broader public.
It is believed that by restricting the oxygen available and creating injury to motor neurone cells, frequent, vigorous training can trigger the condition in those previously predisposed.
Athletic Professional Life
Moody, who earned 71 England caps and competed with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was nicknamed 'Mad Dog' during his professional days, in acknowledgment of his courageous, unwavering method to the game.
He competed through a bone injury of his leg for a period with Leicester and once sparked a practice scuffle with fellow player and friend Martin Johnson when, frustrated, he left a tackle pad and started engaging in physical contacts.
After entering as a reserve in the Rugby World Cup decisive match win over Australia in 2003, he secured a ball at the back of the throw-in in the crucial phase of play, creating a platform for half-back Matt Dawson to attack and Jonny Wilkinson to score the victory-securing field goal.
Support System
Moody has already informed Johnson, who skippered England to that championship, and a couple of other ex- colleagues about his diagnosis, but the remaining individuals will be finding out his news with the broader public.
"We'll have a time when we'll need to depend on their support but, at the present, just having that kind of care and recognition that people are available is the crucial thing," he stated.
"The sport is such a great community.
"I said to the kids the other day, I've had an extraordinary life.
"Even when it finished now, I've valued all of it and accepted all of it and got to do it with remarkable people.
"Being able to consider your enthusiasm your career, it's one of the most important honors.
"To have done it for so considerable a period with the teams that I did it with was a pleasure. And I understand they will wish to assist in any way they can and I await having those talks."
