Former England skipper Lewis Moody has disclosed he has been identified with motor neurone disease and stated he cannot yet deal with the full ramifications of the muscle-deteriorating condition that ended the lives of other rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.
The 47-year-old, who was part of the 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning side and won numerous English and European titles with Leicester, gave an interview to BBC Breakfast two weeks after finding out he has the disease.
"There's a certain looking the future in the face and being reluctant to completely absorb that at the present time," he said.
"This doesn't mean I am unaware of where it's going. We grasp that. But there is definitely a hesitation to face what's ahead for now."
Moody, talking together with his wife Annie, explains rather he feels "calm" as he focuses on his immediate health, his family and getting ready for when the disease progresses.
"Perhaps that's surprise or maybe I process things differently, and after I have the details, it's easier," he stated further.
Initial Signs
Moody discovered he had MND after noticing some lack of strength in his shoulder area while exercising in the gym.
After physiotherapy didn't help the problem, a series of scans showed neural pathways in his brain and spinal cord had been affected by MND.
"You're presented with this condition identification of MND and we're understandably very emotional about it, but it's rather peculiar because I feel like nothing's wrong," he remarked.
"I don't sense ill. I don't sense unwell
"My symptoms are very minor. I have a small amount of muscle wasting in the hand area and the shoulder.
"I remain competent to performing whatever I want. And hopefully that will persist for as long as is possible."
Condition Development
MND can develop rapidly.
Based on the non-profit MND Association, the illness claims a 33% of people within a year and above half within two years of detection, as ingestion and respiration become harder.
Medical care can only retard deterioration.
"It's not me that I feel sad for," stated an affected Moody.
"There's sorrow around having to inform my mum - as an only child - and the consequences that has for her."
Household Effect
Conversing from the household with his wife and their pet dog by his side, Moody was overwhelmed by sentiment when he mentioned telling his sons - 17-year-old Dylan and adolescent Ethan - the heartbreaking news, commenting: "That represented the most difficult thing I've ever had to do."
"They're two wonderful 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 jumped over and commenced removing the drops off our faces, which was quite funny."
Moody stated the emphasis was staying in the moment.
"We have no treatment and that is why you have to be so militantly focused on just accepting and enjoying each moment now," he commented.
"According to Annie, we've been very blessed that the primary decision I made when I retired from playing was to spend as much duration with the kids as feasible. We won't recover those years back."
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Top-level sportspeople are disproportionately impacted by MND, with investigations indicating the rate of the condition is up to 600% greater than in the wider community.
It is believed that by reducing the oxygen available and creating damage to motor neurone cells, regular, strenuous physical activity can initiate the disease in those inherently genetically susceptible.
Sports Professional Life
Moody, who earned 71 England caps and toured with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was nicknamed 'Mad Dog' during his sports career, in honour of his brave, persistent approach to the game.
He played through a bone injury of his leg for a period with Leicester and once sparked a practice scuffle with fellow player and friend Martin Johnson when, irritated, he abandoned a training equipment and commenced throwing himself into collisions.
After coming on as a substitute in the Rugby World Cup decisive match win over Australia in 2003, he secured a ball at the end of the set piece in the critical passage of play, creating a base for scrum-half Matt Dawson to advance and Jonny Wilkinson to execute the victory-securing drop-goal.
Assistance Network
Moody has already notified Johnson, who captained England to that victory, and a couple of other former colleagues about his medical situation, but the rest will be discovering his news with the rest of public.
"There shall be a moment when we'll need to lean on their assistance but, at the present, just having that kind of love and recognition that people are available is what's important," he said.
"The sport is such a wonderful community.
"I told to the kids the other day, I've had an incredible life.
"Even if it ended now, I've appreciated all of it and welcomed all of it and got to do it with exceptional people.
"When you get to consider your passion your profession, it's one of the most important blessings.
"To have done it for so extended a duration with the teams that I did it with was a pleasure. And I am aware they will wish to support in any way they can and I await having those discussions."
