Ex- England skipper Lewis Moody has announced he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease and stated he cannot yet confront the full implications of the muscle-degenerating condition that claimed the lives of other rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.
The 47-year-old athlete, who was involved in the 2003 championship side and won several 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 looking the future in the face and hesitating to really process that at the moment," he stated.
"It isn't that I fail to comprehend where it's going. We grasp that. But there is definitely a unwillingness to confront the future for now."
Moody, conversing together with his wife Annie, says rather he feels "calm" as he directs his attention to his current health, his family and getting ready for when the illness deteriorates.
"Maybe that's shock or perhaps I deal with matters differently, and when I have the facts, it's simpler," he continued.
Initial Signs
Moody found out he had MND after noticing some weakness in his upper arm while exercising in the gym.
After rehabilitation didn't help the problem, a set of scans indicated nerves in his brain and spinal cord had been damaged by MND.
"You're given this diagnosis of MND and we're appropriately extremely emotional about it, but it's quite odd because I think I'm perfectly healthy," he continued.
"I don't sense unwell. I don't experience unwell
"My symptoms are quite slight. I have some muscle loss in the hand and the upper arm.
"I remain competent to performing anything and everything. And with luck that will persist for as long as is attainable."
Condition Advancement
MND can progress rapidly.
According to the organization MND Association, the condition claims a third of people within a 365 days and above half within 730 days of diagnosis, as swallowing and inhalation become harder.
Treatment can only delay deterioration.
"It isn't ever me that I feel sad for," added an emotional Moody.
"It's the sorrow around having to tell my mum - as an only child - and the implications that has for her."
Family Consequences
Speaking from the residence with his wife and their canine companion by his side, Moody was overwhelmed by sentiment when he mentioned breaking the news to his sons - 17-year-old Dylan and adolescent Ethan - the heartbreaking news, saying: "It was the toughest thing I've ever had to do."
"They're two wonderful boys and that was rather heartbreaking," Moody stated.
"We were seated on the sofa in crying, Ethan and Dylan both hugging in each other, then the dog leapt across and began cleaning the moisture off our faces, which was somewhat silly."
Moody explained the priority was being in the moment.
"We have no solution and that is why you have to be very intensely focused on just embracing and enjoying everything now," he stated.
"As my wife mentioned, we've been truly blessed that the only real decision I made when I left playing was to spend as much period with the kids as attainable. We don't get those years back."
Athlete Connection
Elite athletes are disproportionately impacted by MND, with research indicating the rate of the illness is up to 600% higher than in the wider community.
It is considered that by reducing the O2 obtainable and creating harm to neural pathways, regular, vigorous physical activity can initiate the disease in those previously genetically susceptible.
Rugby Career
Moody, who earned 71 England selections and competed with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was called 'Mad Dog' during his professional days, in honour of his courageous, relentless approach to the game.
He played through a stress fracture of his leg for a duration with Leicester and once sparked a practice altercation with colleague and friend Martin Johnson when, annoyed, he left a training equipment and started participating in tackles.
After coming on as a replacement in the Rugby World Cup championship win over Australia in 2003, he claimed a ball at the back of the set piece in the crucial phase of play, establishing a foundation for playmaker Matt Dawson to snipe and Jonny Wilkinson to execute the victory-securing field goal.
Assistance Network
Moody has already notified Johnson, who captained England to that title, and a handful of other previous players about his diagnosis, but the others will be discovering his news with the remainder of public.
"There shall be a period when we'll need to depend on their support but, at the minute, just having that type of affection and recognition that people are present is what's important," he said.
"The sport is such a excellent community.
"I said to the kids the other day, I've had an incredible life.
"Even if it concluded now, I've appreciated all of it and welcomed all of it and got to do it with exceptional people.
"Being able to call your enthusiasm your career, it's one of the most important blessings.
"Achieving this for so extended a duration with the teams that I did it with was a pleasure. And I know they will desire to support in whatever way they can and I await having those talks."
