Ex- English leader Lewis Moody has revealed he has been identified with motor neurone disease and stated he cannot yet deal with the full implications of the muscle-wasting condition that claimed the lives of fellow rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.
The 47-year-old, who was involved in the World Cup champion 2003 side and won several English and European titles with Leicester, gave an interview to BBC Breakfast 14 days after discovering he has the disease.
"There's an element of looking the future in the face and hesitating to completely absorb that at the minute," he commented.
"This doesn't mean I don't understand where it's going. We grasp that. But there is absolutely a unwillingness to confront the future for now."
Moody, conversing together with his wife Annie, says conversely he feels "peaceful" as he concentrates on his current welfare, his family and planning ahead for when the condition worsens.
"Maybe that's surprise or possibly I handle situations uniquely, and once I have the information, it's more manageable," he continued.
Early Symptoms
Moody learned he had MND after observing some lack of strength in his upper arm while exercising in the gym.
After rehabilitation was ineffective for the problem, a series of scans indicated neural pathways in his neurological system had been damaged by MND.
"You receive this medical finding of MND and we're understandably quite emotional about it, but it's so strange because I feel like nothing's wrong," he continued.
"I don't experience ill. I don't sense sick
"My indications are rather minimal. I have some muscle loss in the fingers and the shoulder region.
"I'm still competent to performing all activities. And with luck that will continue for as long as is feasible."
Disease Advancement
MND can advance quickly.
As per the organization MND Association, the condition kills a 33% of people within a 365 days and over half within two years of identification, as swallowing and inhalation become increasingly challenging.
Medical care can only retard deterioration.
"It isn't ever me that I experience sorrow for," commented an emotional Moody.
"There's sadness around having to tell my mum - as an sole offspring - and the implications that has for her."
Family Impact
Conversing from the household with his wife and their pet dog by his side, Moody was overcome with emotion when he mentioned informing his sons - 17-year Dylan and adolescent Ethan - the traumatic news, commenting: "This was the toughest thing I've ever had to do."
"They're two brilliant boys and that was pretty heartbreaking," Moody remarked.
"We positioned ourselves on the couch in crying, Ethan and Dylan both embraced in each other, then the dog leapt across and commenced removing the drops off our faces, which was somewhat amusing."
Moody stated the priority was staying in the now.
"There is no treatment and that is why you have to be extremely strongly directed on just welcoming and savoring all aspects now," he said.
"According to Annie, we've been truly blessed that the primary choice I made when I concluded playing was to devote as much duration with the kids as feasible. We don't get those periods back."
Player Association
Elite competitors are unevenly influenced by MND, with research proposing the rate of the condition is up to six times elevated than in the broader public.
It is believed that by reducing the oxygen obtainable and creating harm to motor neurone cells, consistent, strenuous physical activity can initiate the disease in those already predisposed.
Rugby Career
Moody, who gained 71 England caps and traveled with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was called 'Mad Dog' during his professional days, in recognition of his brave, relentless approach to the game.
He participated through a stress fracture of his leg for a duration with Leicester and once caused a practice confrontation with colleague and friend Martin Johnson when, annoyed, he left a practice gear and began engaging in collisions.
After coming on as a reserve in the Rugby World Cup championship win over Australia in 2003, he secured a ball at the end of the throw-in in the decisive passage of play, establishing a foundation for half-back Matt Dawson to snipe and Jonny Wilkinson to execute the game-deciding field goal.
Assistance Community
Moody has earlier informed Johnson, who skippered England to that victory, and a handful of other former team-mates about his condition, but the rest will be finding out his news with the broader public.
"We'll have a moment when we'll need to depend on their assistance but, at the moment, just having that type of care and recognition that people are available is what's important," he commented.
"Rugby is such a excellent family.
"I told to the kids the other day, I've had an incredible life.
"Even should it finished now, I've enjoyed all of it and welcomed all of it and got to do it with exceptional people.
"When you get to call your passion your career, it's one of the most significant honors.
"Achieving this for so long a time with the groups that I did it with was a joy. And I know they will want to support in whatever way they can and I await having those discussions."
