Previous England leader Lewis Moody has announced he has been identified with motor neurone disease and admitted 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 a member of the 2003 championship side and won several English and European titles with Leicester, appeared on BBC Breakfast a fortnight after discovering he has the disease.
"There's an element of confronting what lies ahead and not wanting to completely absorb that at the minute," he said.
"It's not that I fail to comprehend where it's heading. We grasp that. But there is absolutely a hesitation to face what's ahead for now."
Moody, conversing with his wife Annie, explains rather he feels "calm" as he directs his attention to his present wellbeing, his family and getting ready for when the illness deteriorates.
"Maybe that's shock or possibly I deal with matters differently, and when I have the information, it's easier," he continued.
Initial Symptoms
Moody discovered he had MND after observing some weakness in his shoulder while training in the gym.
After physiotherapy was ineffective for the issue, a series of scans revealed nerve cells in his neurological system had been affected by MND.
"You're given this diagnosis of MND and we're appropriately extremely emotional about it, but it's rather peculiar because I think I'm perfectly healthy," he continued.
"I don't experience sick. I don't sense sick
"The signs I have are quite slight. I have a small amount of muscle deterioration in the fingers and the upper arm.
"I'm still able to performing anything and everything. And with luck that will carry on for as long as is attainable."
Disease Progression
MND can progress quickly.
As per the organization MND Association, the disease kills a one-third of people within a year and over half within 730 days of detection, as eating and respiration become harder.
Medical care can only delay decline.
"It's never me that I experience sorrow for," added an moved Moody.
"It's the sadness around having to break the news to my mum - as an single child - and the ramifications that has for her."
Household Consequences
Conversing from the household with his wife and their family dog by his side, Moody was consumed with emotion when he discussed breaking the news to his sons - teenage Dylan and adolescent Ethan - the devastating news, commenting: "This was the hardest thing I've ever had to do."
"They're two brilliant boys and that was rather upsetting," Moody stated.
"We positioned ourselves on the settee in crying, Ethan and Dylan both hugging in each other, then the dog bounded over and began licking the drops off our faces, which was somewhat amusing."
Moody explained the focus was staying in the moment.
"There exists no treatment and that is why you have to be extremely militantly focused on just welcoming and enjoying everything now," he said.
"As my wife mentioned, we've been truly blessed that the sole choice I made when I left playing was to devote as much time with the kids as feasible. We won't recover those periods back."
Athlete Link
Professional sportspeople are unevenly affected by MND, with investigations proposing the prevalence of the illness is up to 600% greater than in the broader public.
It is considered that by restricting the O2 accessible and creating injury to nerve cells, regular, intense training can activate the illness in those already predisposed.
Athletic Career
Moody, who won 71 England selections and traveled with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was dubbed 'Mad Dog' during his sports career, in acknowledgment of his courageous, unwavering style to the game.
He participated through a bone injury of his leg for a duration with Leicester and once initiated a workout confrontation with team-mate and friend Martin Johnson when, frustrated, he abandoned a tackle pad and started throwing himself into physical contacts.
After coming on as a substitute in the Rugby World Cup championship win over Australia in 2003, he won a ball at the end of the line-out in the critical moment of play, setting a base for playmaker Matt Dawson to snipe and Jonny Wilkinson to kick the game-deciding drop kick.
Backing System
Moody has previously informed Johnson, who led England to that title, and a couple of other previous team-mates about his medical situation, but the others will be discovering his news with the rest of public.
"We'll have a period when we'll need to rely on their backing but, at the minute, just having that kind of affection and acceptance that people are there is what's important," he commented.
"The sport is such a great group.
"I said to the kids the other day, I've had an amazing life.
"Even should it finished now, I've enjoyed all of it and embraced all of it and got to do it with remarkable people.
"When you have the opportunity to consider your love your profession, it's one of the most significant privileges.
"Having accomplished it for so extended a duration with the teams that I did it with was a delight. And I understand they will wish to assist in every way they can and I anticipate having those talks."
