Ex- England skipper Lewis Moody has revealed he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease and admitted he cannot yet face the full consequences of the muscle-degenerating condition that claimed the lives of other rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.
The 47-year-old athlete, who was part of the 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning side and lifted several English and European titles with Leicester, appeared on BBC Breakfast 14 days after finding out he has the condition.
"There's a certain facing the future and not wanting to fully comprehend that at the present time," he commented.
"It isn't that I fail to comprehend where it's going. We comprehend that. But there is certainly a unwillingness to look the future in the face for now."
Moody, conversing together with his wife Annie, explains instead he feels "at ease" as he focuses on his present welfare, his family and getting ready for when the illness worsens.
"Perhaps that's surprise or maybe I handle situations differently, and when I have the information, it's easier," he stated further.
First Signs
Moody found out he had MND after detecting some weakness in his upper arm while training in the gym.
After physical therapy didn't help the problem, a number of scans revealed nerves in his neurological system had been compromised by MND.
"You're presented with this medical finding of MND and we're understandably quite affected about it, but it's quite odd because I think everything is fine," he continued.
"I don't feel unwell. I don't experience unwell
"The signs I have are quite slight. I have a small amount of muscle deterioration in the fingers and the shoulder.
"I continue to be able to doing whatever I want. And optimistically that will persist for as long as is possible."
Condition Progression
MND can advance swiftly.
According to the charity MND Association, the condition claims a third of people within a twelve months and over half within 730 days of detection, as eating and inhalation become more difficult.
Medical care can only delay deterioration.
"It's not me that I feel sad for," added an affected Moody.
"There's grief around having to inform my mum - as an only child - and the implications that has for her."
Family Impact
Speaking from the family home with his wife and their pet dog by his side, Moody was consumed with feeling when he mentioned telling his sons - teenage Dylan and adolescent Ethan - the devastating news, stating: "It was the most difficult thing I've ever had to do."
"They are two wonderful boys and that was pretty heartbreaking," Moody remarked.
"We sat on the settee in weeping, Ethan and Dylan both wrapped up in each other, then the dog bounded over and commenced licking the moisture off our faces, which was quite funny."
Moody explained the focus was remaining in the moment.
"There is no treatment and that is why you have to be so strongly concentrated on just welcoming and savoring everything now," he said.
"According to Annie, we've been very lucky that the primary choice I made when I retired from playing was to allocate as much duration with the kids as attainable. We can't reclaim those years back."
Sportsman Link
Professional competitors are excessively influenced by MND, with research indicating the prevalence of the disease is up to 600% greater than in the general population.
It is considered that by reducing the O2 accessible and creating damage to motor neurone cells, regular, strenuous exercise can trigger the condition in those previously genetically susceptible.
Sports Playing Days
Moody, who earned 71 England caps and toured with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was dubbed 'Mad Dog' during his playing career, in honour of his fearless, unwavering approach to the game.
He participated through a stress fracture of his leg for a time with Leicester and once initiated a training-ground scuffle with fellow player and friend Martin Johnson when, annoyed, he discarded a practice gear and began throwing himself into physical contacts.
After appearing as a substitute in the Rugby World Cup championship win over Australia in 2003, he claimed a ball at the back of the set piece in the crucial phase of play, creating a platform for playmaker Matt Dawson to advance and Jonny Wilkinson to kick the match-winning drop kick.
Assistance Community
Moody has previously informed Johnson, who skippered England to that title, and a few other previous team-mates about his medical situation, but the remaining individuals will be discovering his news with the remainder of public.
"There will be a time when we'll need to depend on their assistance but, at the moment, just having that type of love and acceptance that people are present is the crucial thing," he commented.
"The sport is such a excellent community.
"I told to the kids the other day, I've had an incredible life.
"Even should it concluded now, I've enjoyed all of it and accepted all of it and got to do it with remarkable people.
"When you have the opportunity to call your passion your career, it's one of the greatest honors.
"Achieving this for so considerable a time with the teams that I did it with was a delight. And I understand they will want to support in any way they can and I look forward to having those talks."
