Previous English captain Lewis Moody has revealed he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease and stated he cannot yet face the full ramifications of the muscle-degenerating condition that claimed the lives of fellow rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.
The 47-year-old athlete, who was involved in the 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning side and secured numerous English and European titles with Leicester, gave an interview to BBC Breakfast two weeks after finding out he has the disease.
"There's something about facing the future and not wanting 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 absolutely a unwillingness to look the future in the face for now."
Moody, speaking together with his wife Annie, states instead he feels "peaceful" as he directs his attention to his current wellbeing, his family and getting ready for when the condition progresses.
"Possibly that's trauma or perhaps I handle situations in another way, and once I have the details, it's simpler," he stated further.
First Indications
Moody learned he had MND after noticing some lack of strength in his shoulder while training in the gym.
After physical therapy failed to improve the issue, a set of scans indicated nerves in his central nervous system had been affected by MND.
"You receive this diagnosis of MND and we're understandably 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 feel poorly
"My symptoms are quite slight. I have a bit of muscle deterioration in the fingers and the shoulder.
"I'm still able to accomplishing all activities. And with luck that will carry on for as long as is possible."
Disease Advancement
MND can advance rapidly.
According to the charity MND Association, the condition kills a 33% of people within a year and more than half within 730 days of detection, as eating and breathing become harder.
Medical care can only slow worsening.
"It isn't ever me that I experience sorrow for," stated an affected Moody.
"It's about the sadness around having to tell my mum - as an only child - and the implications that has for her."
Household Consequences
Speaking from the household with his wife and their canine companion by his side, Moody was consumed with sentiment when he mentioned breaking the news to his sons - 17-year Dylan and 15-year-old Ethan - the traumatic news, saying: "It was the toughest thing I've ever had to do."
"These are two brilliant boys and that was quite upsetting," Moody remarked.
"We sat on the settee in tears, Ethan and Dylan both wrapped up in each other, then the dog bounded over and started cleaning the drops off our faces, which was somewhat funny."
Moody said the emphasis was remaining in the now.
"There is no solution and that is why you have to be so strongly directed on just embracing and savoring everything now," he said.
"As Annie said, we've been very blessed that the only real decision I made when I left playing was to spend as much period with the kids as possible. We won't recover those times back."
Athlete Link
Top-level competitors are unevenly influenced by MND, with investigations proposing the prevalence of the illness is up to 600% greater than in the wider community.
It is considered that by restricting the air accessible and creating injury to nerve cells, regular, strenuous training can initiate the condition in those previously genetically susceptible.
Rugby Playing Days
Moody, who earned 71 England selections and traveled with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was called 'Mad Dog' during his sports career, in honour of his fearless, unwavering method to the game.
He played through a bone injury of his leg for a period with Leicester and once initiated a practice altercation with fellow player and friend Martin Johnson when, frustrated, he left a practice gear and began throwing himself into tackles.
After entering as a replacement in the Rugby World Cup decisive match win over Australia in 2003, he claimed a ball at the end of the throw-in in the decisive phase of play, setting a platform for playmaker Matt Dawson to advance and Jonny Wilkinson to score the victory-securing field goal.
Assistance Network
Moody has previously told Johnson, who skippered England to that championship, and a handful of other former players about his medical situation, but the others will be finding out his news with the remainder of public.
"We'll have a time when we'll need to lean on their assistance but, at the moment, just having that type of affection and acknowledgment that people are there is the crucial thing," he stated.
"This game is such a excellent family.
"I told to the kids the other day, I've had an incredible life.
"Even should it ended now, I've enjoyed all of it and embraced all of it and got to do it with unbelievable people.
"When you get to consider your passion your career, it's one of the greatest blessings.
"Achieving this for so considerable a time with the groups that I did it with was a joy. And I know they will wish to assist in every way they can and I await having those discussions."
