Ex- England leader Lewis Moody has disclosed he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease and acknowledged he cannot yet confront the full consequences of the muscle-wasting condition that claimed the lives of other rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.
The middle-aged sportsman, who was involved in 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 condition.
"There's a certain looking the future in the face and not wanting to fully comprehend that at the minute," he commented.
"It's not that I am unaware of where it's going. We understand that. But there is certainly a unwillingness to confront the future for now."
Moody, conversing together with his wife Annie, says rather he feels "calm" as he concentrates on his immediate welfare, his family and getting ready for when the disease worsens.
"Maybe that's trauma or possibly I handle situations differently, and when I have the facts, it's simpler," he continued.
Initial Symptoms
Moody found out he had MND after noticing some lack of strength in his shoulder area while working out in the gym.
After physiotherapy didn't help the problem, a number of scans showed nerve cells in his central nervous system had been compromised by MND.
"You're presented with this condition identification of MND and we're rightly extremely emotional about it, but it's rather peculiar because I think I'm perfectly healthy," he added.
"I don't sense unwell. I don't sense unwell
"My symptoms are rather minimal. I have some muscle deterioration in the hand and the shoulder.
"I'm still capable of doing anything and everything. And hopefully that will carry on for as long as is feasible."
Disease Development
MND can advance rapidly.
As per the non-profit MND Association, the condition takes the lives of a one-third of people within a twelve months and above half within two years of diagnosis, as eating and breathing become increasingly challenging.
Treatment can only retard worsening.
"It's never me that I feel sad for," stated an moved Moody.
"It's about the sorrow around having to tell my mum - as an single child - and the implications that has for her."
Household Impact
Conversing from the residence with his wife and their family dog by his side, Moody was consumed with sentiment when he mentioned telling his sons - teenage Dylan and 15-year-old Ethan - the devastating news, stating: "That represented the most difficult thing I've ever had to do."
"They're two brilliant boys and that was pretty heartbreaking," Moody stated.
"We positioned ourselves on the settee in weeping, Ethan and Dylan both hugging in each other, then the dog jumped over and began cleaning the drops off our faces, which was quite funny."
Moody explained the focus was remaining in the moment.
"There exists no solution and that is why you have to be very intensely concentrated on just welcoming and appreciating each moment now," he stated.
"As my wife mentioned, we've been really fortunate that the primary choice I made when I retired from playing was to allocate as much period with the kids as feasible. We won't recover those years back."
Athlete Connection
Top-level athletes are excessively affected by MND, with studies proposing the incidence of the illness is up to sixfold elevated than in the wider community.
It is considered that by restricting the oxygen accessible and causing harm to neural pathways, frequent, intense physical activity can initiate the disease in those inherently predisposed.
Sports Professional Life
Moody, who earned 71 England caps and toured with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was called 'Mad Dog' during his professional days, in honour of his courageous, unwavering method to the game.
He participated through a fracture of his leg for a period with Leicester and once caused a practice scuffle with fellow player and friend Martin Johnson when, frustrated, he discarded a practice gear and started throwing himself into physical contacts.
After coming on as a substitute in the Rugby World Cup decisive match win over Australia in 2003, he won a ball at the back of the line-out in the crucial moment of play, creating a base for scrum-half Matt Dawson to advance and Jonny Wilkinson to score the game-deciding drop-goal.
Backing System
Moody has previously informed Johnson, who led England to that championship, and a few other ex- colleagues about his medical situation, but the others will be learning his news with the broader public.
"There will be a moment when we'll need to depend on their support but, at the minute, just having that kind of love and recognition that people are there is the crucial thing," he stated.
"The sport is such a excellent family.
"I mentioned to the kids the other day, I've had an amazing life.
"Even should it finished now, I've appreciated all of it and embraced all of it and got to do it with exceptional people.
"When you have the opportunity to call your love your profession, it's one of the most important honors.
"To have done it for so extended a duration 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 look forward to having those conversations."
