Former England captain Lewis Moody has revealed he has been identified with motor neurone disease and admitted he cannot yet deal with the full ramifications of the muscle-deteriorating condition that claimed the lives of fellow rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.
The 47-year-old athlete, who was a member of the World Cup champion 2003 side and lifted several English and European titles with Leicester, gave an interview to BBC Breakfast two weeks after finding out he has the condition.
"There's a certain looking the future in the face and being reluctant to fully comprehend that at the minute," he said.
"It isn't that I fail to comprehend where it's progressing. We comprehend that. But there is certainly a reluctance to look the future in the face for now."
Moody, conversing alongside his wife Annie, states rather he feels "calm" as he concentrates on his present wellbeing, his family and planning ahead for when the illness deteriorates.
"Possibly that's surprise or maybe I deal with matters uniquely, and once I have the details, it's more manageable," he stated further.
Early Indications
Moody learned he had MND after noticing some weakness in his upper arm while working out in the gym.
After physical therapy was ineffective for the issue, a series of scans revealed nerves in his central nervous system had been affected by MND.
"You're given this condition identification of MND and we're rightly quite emotional about it, but it's rather peculiar because I think I'm perfectly healthy," he remarked.
"I don't sense unwell. I don't experience sick
"My indications are rather minimal. I have some muscle wasting in the hand area and the shoulder region.
"I remain capable of doing anything and everything. And with luck that will continue for as long as is attainable."
Illness Progression
MND can advance quickly.
Based on the non-profit MND Association, the disease claims a 33% of people within a 365 days and over half within 24 months of detection, as ingestion and inhalation become increasingly challenging.
Treatment can only delay worsening.
"It's never me that I experience sorrow for," added an emotional Moody.
"It's the sorrow around having to tell my mum - as an sole offspring - and the implications that has for her."
Household Effect
Conversing from the household with his wife and their canine companion by his side, Moody was overwhelmed by sentiment when he spoke about telling his sons - 17-year Dylan and 15-year Ethan - the devastating news, commenting: "That represented the most difficult thing I've ever had to do."
"They are two excellent boys and that was pretty devastating," Moody said.
"We sat on the couch in crying, Ethan and Dylan both wrapped up in each other, then the dog leapt across and began cleaning the drops off our faces, which was somewhat amusing."
Moody explained the priority was being in the moment.
"There is no cure and that is why you have to be extremely intensely focused on just embracing and enjoying each moment now," he stated.
"According to Annie, we've been really blessed that the only real determination I made when I retired from playing was to allocate as much duration with the kids as attainable. We can't reclaim those periods back."
Player Connection
Elite sportspeople are excessively impacted by MND, with research suggesting the rate of the condition is up to 600% greater than in the general population.
It is believed that by limiting the oxygen accessible and creating injury to motor neurone cells, frequent, intense training can trigger the condition in those already genetically susceptible.
Sports Career
Moody, who earned 71 England appearances and traveled with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was nicknamed 'Mad Dog' during his professional days, in acknowledgment of his fearless, relentless style to the game.
He competed through a fracture of his leg for a duration with Leicester and once sparked a workout scuffle with fellow player and friend Martin Johnson when, annoyed, he discarded a tackle pad and started throwing himself into collisions.
After coming on as a substitute in the Rugby World Cup final win over Australia in 2003, he secured a ball at the back of the set piece in the crucial passage of play, setting a platform for scrum-half Matt Dawson to advance and Jonny Wilkinson to kick the victory-securing drop kick.
Assistance System
Moody has previously told Johnson, who captained England to that victory, and a few other former colleagues about his condition, but the others will be finding out his news with the remainder of public.
"We'll have a period when we'll need to lean on their support but, at the moment, just having that type of affection and acceptance that people are present is all that matters," he stated.
"The sport is such a excellent group.
"I told to the kids the other day, I've had an amazing life.
"Even if it concluded now, I've appreciated all of it and welcomed all of it and got to do it with unbelievable people.
"When you have the opportunity to consider your enthusiasm your profession, it's one of the greatest blessings.
"To have done it for so long a period with the groups that I did it with was a pleasure. And I understand they will wish to assist in whatever way they can and I look forward to having those conversations."
