Ex- England leader Lewis Moody has revealed he has been found to have motor neurone disease and acknowledged he cannot yet face the full ramifications of the muscle-wasting condition that ended the lives of other rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.
The 47-year-old athlete, who was a member of the 2003 championship side and lifted multiple English and European titles with Leicester, appeared on BBC Breakfast 14 days after discovering he has the illness.
"There's something about looking the future in the face and being reluctant to really process that at the present time," he stated.
"This doesn't mean I fail to comprehend where it's progressing. We comprehend that. But there is definitely a reluctance to face what's ahead for now."
Moody, conversing together with his wife Annie, says rather he feels "peaceful" as he directs his attention to his current welfare, his family and making preparations for when the illness deteriorates.
"Perhaps that's trauma or perhaps I deal with matters uniquely, and once I have the information, it's simpler," he stated further.
Early Symptoms
Moody found out he had MND after detecting some lack of strength in his shoulder while exercising in the gym.
After physical therapy was ineffective for the problem, a series of scans indicated nerves in his central nervous system had been affected by MND.
"You're presented with this medical finding of MND and we're understandably quite emotional about it, but it's quite odd because I think everything is fine," he continued.
"I don't experience unwell. I don't sense poorly
"The signs I have are quite slight. I have a small amount of muscle deterioration in the hand and the shoulder.
"I remain capable of accomplishing whatever I want. And with luck that will continue for as long as is feasible."
Illness Advancement
MND can progress swiftly.
According to the non-profit MND Association, the illness takes the lives of a 33% of people within a 365 days and over half within 24 months of identification, as ingestion and breathing become more difficult.
Therapy can only delay deterioration.
"It's not me that I experience sorrow for," commented an affected Moody.
"There's grief around having to break the news to my mum - as an sole offspring - and the implications that has for her."
Household Consequences
Talking from the family home with his wife and their canine companion by his side, Moody was consumed with sentiment when he discussed telling his sons - teenage Dylan and 15-year-old Ethan - the heartbreaking news, stating: "It was the most difficult thing I've ever had to do."
"They're two excellent boys and that was rather upsetting," Moody said.
"We sat on the couch in crying, Ethan and Dylan both embraced in each other, then the dog leapt across and began removing the moisture off our faces, which was quite funny."
Moody stated the focus was remaining in the moment.
"There is no cure and that is why you have to be very militantly focused on just welcoming and savoring each moment now," he commented.
"According to Annie, we've been very fortunate that the only real decision I made when I concluded playing was to devote as much time with the kids as feasible. We won't recover those times back."
Athlete Link
Top-level sportspeople are unevenly affected by MND, with research indicating the prevalence of the condition is up to 600% higher than in the broader public.
It is believed that by restricting the oxygen accessible and causing injury to nerve cells, frequent, strenuous training can trigger the condition in those previously genetically susceptible.
Athletic Professional Life
Moody, who earned 71 England appearances and traveled with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was called 'Mad Dog' during his sports career, in recognition of his courageous, unwavering style to the game.
He played through a fracture of his leg for a period with Leicester and once sparked a workout confrontation with team-mate and friend Martin Johnson when, frustrated, he left a training equipment and commenced throwing himself into physical contacts.
After entering as a reserve in the Rugby World Cup decisive match win over Australia in 2003, he secured a ball at the rear of the set piece in the crucial phase of play, establishing a foundation for scrum-half Matt Dawson to snipe and Jonny Wilkinson to score the victory-securing drop kick.
Backing System
Moody has earlier told Johnson, who skippered England to that victory, and a couple of other ex- team-mates about his medical situation, but the rest will be finding out his news with the rest of public.
"We'll have a time when we'll need to depend on their support but, at the present, just having that sort of love and acknowledgment that people are there is what's important," he stated.
"This game is such a wonderful community.
"I mentioned to the kids the other day, I've had an amazing life.
"Even when it concluded now, I've appreciated all of it and accepted all of it and got to do it with remarkable people.
"Being able to label your passion your career, it's one of the most important honors.
"Having accomplished it for so long a duration with the squads that I did it with was a joy. And I understand they will wish to assist in every way they can and I await having those discussions."
