Former England captain Lewis Moody has announced he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease and stated he cannot yet deal with the full ramifications of the muscle-wasting condition that took the lives of other rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.
The 47-year-old athlete, who was part of the 2003 championship side and lifted multiple English and European titles with Leicester, gave an interview to BBC Breakfast a fortnight after discovering he has the condition.
"There's a certain confronting what lies ahead and being reluctant to fully comprehend that at the moment," he stated.
"This doesn't mean I am unaware of where it's progressing. We understand that. But there is definitely a unwillingness to look the future in the face for now."
Moody, speaking alongside his wife Annie, states rather he feels "at ease" as he directs his attention to his immediate wellbeing, his family and making preparations for when the disease deteriorates.
"Maybe that's surprise or possibly I deal with matters uniquely, and after I have the facts, it's easier," he added.
Early Indications
Moody discovered he had MND after detecting some reduced power in his shoulder while exercising in the gym.
After rehabilitation didn't help the condition, a set of scans revealed nerves in his central nervous system had been damaged by MND.
"You receive this diagnosis of MND and we're appropriately extremely emotional about it, but it's quite odd because I sense that nothing's wrong," he remarked.
"I don't sense unwell. I don't feel sick
"My indications are rather minimal. I have some muscle wasting in the hand area and the shoulder region.
"I remain competent to performing all activities. And with luck that will carry on for as long as is attainable."
Condition Advancement
MND can advance rapidly.
According to the charity MND Association, the illness claims a one-third of people within a 365 days and over half within 730 days of identification, as eating and breathing become harder.
Medical care can only delay decline.
"It's never me that I experience sorrow for," stated an emotional Moody.
"It's about the grief around having to break the news to my mum - as an sole offspring - and the implications that has for her."
Personal Impact
Speaking from the household with his wife and their family dog by his side, Moody was overwhelmed by sentiment when he mentioned telling his sons - 17-year Dylan and 15-year Ethan - the traumatic news, commenting: "It was the toughest thing I've ever had to do."
"They are two excellent boys and that was pretty devastating," Moody remarked.
"We were seated on the couch in weeping, Ethan and Dylan both wrapped up in each other, then the dog bounded over and began licking the moisture off our faces, which was rather funny."
Moody stated the focus was staying in the moment.
"There is no cure and that is why you have to be very strongly focused on just accepting and appreciating all aspects now," he stated.
"As my wife mentioned, we've been truly fortunate that the only real decision I made when I retired from playing was to allocate as much period with the kids as possible. We won't recover those periods back."
Player Link
Top-level sportspeople are unevenly influenced by MND, with investigations indicating the prevalence of the disease is up to six times higher than in the broader public.
It is believed that by reducing the O2 obtainable and causing damage to neural pathways, frequent, strenuous exercise can initiate the condition in those inherently vulnerable.
Sports Career
Moody, who earned 71 England caps 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 fearless, unwavering approach to the game.
He played through a stress fracture of his leg for a duration with Leicester and once sparked a training-ground confrontation with team-mate and friend Martin Johnson when, irritated, he abandoned a training equipment and commenced engaging in collisions.
After entering as a substitute in the Rugby World Cup final win over Australia in 2003, he claimed a ball at the back of the throw-in in the critical passage of play, creating a base for scrum-half Matt Dawson to attack and Jonny Wilkinson to score the match-winning drop-goal.
Assistance System
Moody has previously told Johnson, who led England to that championship, and a few other previous players about his diagnosis, but the remaining individuals will be learning his news with the rest of public.
"We'll have a period when we'll need to rely on their assistance but, at the present, just having that sort of affection and acceptance that people are there is the crucial thing," he said.
"The sport is such a great group.
"I said to the kids the other day, I've had an extraordinary life.
"Even when it ended now, I've enjoyed all of it and embraced all of it and got to do it with remarkable people.
"Being able to call your passion your profession, it's one of the most important blessings.
"Having accomplished it for so long a period with the squads that I did it with was a delight. And I understand they will want to help in every way they can and I await having those talks."
