Former England leader Lewis Moody has revealed he has been identified with motor neurone disease and admitted he cannot yet face the full ramifications of the muscle-deteriorating condition that ended the lives of fellow rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.
The 47-year-old, who was involved in the World Cup champion 2003 side and lifted several English and European titles with Leicester, spoke to BBC Breakfast two weeks after finding out he has the condition.
"There's a certain looking the future in the face and hesitating to completely absorb that at the minute," he stated.
"It's not that I don't understand where it's going. We comprehend that. But there is absolutely a reluctance to face what's ahead for now."
Moody, conversing together with his wife Annie, explains rather he feels "at ease" as he concentrates on his immediate health, his family and getting ready for when the condition deteriorates.
"Possibly that's trauma or possibly I handle situations uniquely, and after I have the details, it's more manageable," he stated further.
Early Indications
Moody discovered he had MND after observing some lack of strength in his shoulder while working out in the gym.
After rehabilitation failed to improve the condition, a series of scans indicated nerve cells in his neurological system had been damaged by MND.
"You're given this diagnosis of MND and we're rightly quite affected about it, but it's rather peculiar because I feel like nothing's wrong," he remarked.
"I don't sense sick. I don't sense poorly
"My symptoms are quite slight. I have a small amount of muscle wasting in the hand and the shoulder region.
"I continue to be able to accomplishing anything and everything. And with luck that will persist for as long as is possible."
Condition Advancement
MND can advance swiftly.
As per the organization MND Association, the condition kills a one-third of people within a year and more than half within 730 days of detection, as swallowing and breathing become increasingly challenging.
Medical care can only slow deterioration.
"It's not me that I feel sad for," stated an emotional Moody.
"It's about the grief around having to break the news to my mum - as an sole offspring - and the consequences that has for her."
Personal Impact
Conversing from the family home with his wife and their canine companion by his side, Moody was consumed with sentiment when he mentioned telling his sons - 17-year-old Dylan and adolescent Ethan - the devastating news, saying: "That represented the hardest thing I've ever had to do."
"They're two brilliant boys and that was rather upsetting," Moody stated.
"We positioned ourselves on the sofa in tears, Ethan and Dylan both wrapped up in each other, then the dog bounded over and began cleaning the tears off our faces, which was rather silly."
Moody stated the focus was being in the present.
"We have no cure and that is why you have to be very strongly focused on just accepting and appreciating everything now," he said.
"According to Annie, we've been truly fortunate that the only real decision I made when I retired from playing was to devote as much period with the kids as feasible. We can't reclaim those years back."
Sportsman Link
Top-level athletes are disproportionately influenced by MND, with research suggesting the incidence of the disease is up to six times elevated than in the broader public.
It is considered that by restricting the O2 obtainable and creating injury to nerve cells, consistent, intense training can initiate the illness in those inherently vulnerable.
Athletic Professional Life
Moody, who earned 71 England selections and toured with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was called 'Mad Dog' during his sports career, in recognition of his fearless, persistent style to the game.
He played through a bone injury of his leg for a time with Leicester and once initiated a practice confrontation with colleague and friend Martin Johnson when, irritated, he left a tackle pad and started participating in physical contacts.
After entering as a reserve in the Rugby World Cup decisive match win over Australia in 2003, he claimed a ball at the back of the set piece in the crucial phase of play, creating a base for scrum-half Matt Dawson to attack and Jonny Wilkinson to execute the match-winning field goal.
Backing System
Moody has earlier told Johnson, who led England to that championship, and a couple of other previous players about his diagnosis, but the remaining individuals will be learning his news with the remainder of public.
"We'll have a moment when we'll need to lean on their support but, at the moment, just having that sort of love and recognition that people are there is the crucial thing," he stated.
"Rugby is such a wonderful community.
"I said to the kids the other day, I've had an amazing life.
"Even if it ended now, I've enjoyed all of it and accepted all of it and got to do it with unbelievable people.
"When you have the opportunity to consider your passion your career, it's one of the most significant privileges.
"To have done it for so extended a time with the squads that I did it with was a joy. And I understand they will desire to help in every way they can and I await having those conversations."
