Former England captain Lewis Moody has revealed he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease and acknowledged he cannot yet confront the full implications of the muscle-wasting condition that ended the lives of other rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.
The 47-year-old, who was involved in the 2003 championship side and lifted multiple English and European titles with Leicester, gave an interview to BBC Breakfast 14 days after discovering he has the condition.
"There's something about looking the future in the face and hesitating to fully comprehend that at the moment," he commented.
"This doesn't mean I don't understand where it's heading. We understand that. But there is definitely a reluctance to face what's ahead for now."
Moody, talking together with his wife Annie, states instead he feels "peaceful" as he focuses on his immediate welfare, his family and getting ready for when the disease deteriorates.
"Perhaps that's trauma or perhaps I process things differently, and after I have the information, it's easier," he stated further.
First Symptoms
Moody found out he had MND after noticing some lack of strength in his shoulder while working out in the gym.
After physiotherapy was ineffective for the condition, a number of scans showed nerve cells in his central nervous system had been damaged by MND.
"You're presented with this diagnosis of MND and we're appropriately very affected about it, but it's so strange because I sense that everything is fine," he remarked.
"I don't feel unwell. I don't experience poorly
"The signs I have are quite slight. I have a bit of muscle loss in the hand area and the shoulder.
"I remain competent to performing whatever I want. And optimistically that will carry on for as long as is feasible."
Illness Development
MND can develop quickly.
As per the organization MND Association, the condition claims a 33% of people within a twelve months and above half within two years of detection, as swallowing and breathing become more difficult.
Medical care can only retard worsening.
"It's not me that I feel sad for," commented an moved Moody.
"There's grief around having to tell my mum - as an sole offspring - and the implications that has for her."
Family Consequences
Speaking from the family home with his wife and their canine companion by his side, Moody was overwhelmed by emotion when he spoke about telling his sons - 17-year-old Dylan and 15-year-old Ethan - the heartbreaking news, saying: "This was the hardest thing I've ever had to do."
"They're two wonderful boys and that was pretty upsetting," Moody stated.
"We sat on the sofa in crying, Ethan and Dylan both embraced in each other, then the dog bounded over and commenced removing the moisture off our faces, which was somewhat silly."
Moody explained the priority was staying in the present.
"We have no treatment and that is why you have to be extremely strongly focused on just embracing and enjoying each moment now," he stated.
"As Annie said, we've been truly lucky that the sole choice I made when I retired from playing was to devote as much time with the kids as attainable. We can't reclaim those years back."
Sportsman Association
Elite sportspeople are unevenly impacted by MND, with investigations proposing the incidence of the illness is up to six times greater than in the general population.
It is believed that by restricting the air obtainable and producing damage to motor neurone cells, regular, intense physical activity can activate the illness in those previously vulnerable.
Sports Professional Life
Moody, who gained 71 England selections and toured with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was nicknamed 'Mad Dog' during his professional days, in honour of his courageous, relentless approach to the game.
He participated through a fracture of his leg for a duration with Leicester and once sparked a workout altercation with fellow player and friend Martin Johnson when, annoyed, he discarded a practice gear and started participating in tackles.
After entering as a replacement in the Rugby World Cup championship win over Australia in 2003, he won a ball at the end of the throw-in in the crucial moment of play, setting a foundation for scrum-half Matt Dawson to snipe and Jonny Wilkinson to score the victory-securing drop kick.
Support Community
Moody has previously informed Johnson, who captained England to that championship, and a handful of other former players about his condition, but the others will be discovering his news with the rest of public.
"There shall be a period when we'll need to depend on their assistance but, at the moment, just having that type of affection and recognition that people are there is what's important," he commented.
"The sport is such a wonderful group.
"I told to the kids the other day, I've had an amazing life.
"Even should it ended now, I've valued all of it and embraced all of it and got to do it with exceptional people.
"Being able to call your love your career, it's one of the most important honors.
"Achieving this for so long a period with the groups that I did it with was a pleasure. And I am aware they will wish to support in any way they can and I look forward to having those conversations."
