Ex- English skipper Lewis Moody has announced he has been identified with motor neurone disease and stated he cannot yet face the full consequences of the muscle-deteriorating condition that took the lives of fellow rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.
The 47-year-old athlete, who was involved in the World Cup champion 2003 side and lifted numerous English and European titles with Leicester, appeared on BBC Breakfast two weeks after discovering he has the condition.
"There's an element of looking the future in the face and not wanting to really process that at the moment," he commented.
"It's not that I fail to comprehend where it's heading. We grasp that. But there is definitely a hesitation to face what's ahead for now."
Moody, conversing alongside his wife Annie, states instead he feels "calm" as he directs his attention to his immediate wellbeing, his family and planning ahead for when the disease worsens.
"Maybe that's shock or perhaps I handle situations uniquely, and when I have the facts, it's easier," he stated further.
First Indications
Moody discovered he had MND after noticing some weakness in his upper arm while training in the gym.
After physiotherapy didn't help the issue, a set of scans showed nerve cells in his central nervous system had been affected by MND.
"You receive this condition identification of MND and we're appropriately quite emotional about it, but it's quite odd because I feel like I'm perfectly healthy," he remarked.
"I don't sense unwell. I don't sense unwell
"My indications are quite slight. I have a small amount of muscle loss in the hand area and the shoulder region.
"I continue to be able to performing whatever I want. And hopefully that will continue for as long as is possible."
Condition Advancement
MND can develop quickly.
Based on the non-profit MND Association, the disease claims a one-third of people within a twelve months and more than half within 24 months of detection, as eating and breathing become more difficult.
Treatment can only delay deterioration.
"It's not me that I am upset for," added an affected Moody.
"It's about the sadness around having to break the news to my mum - as an only child - and the ramifications that has for her."
Personal Impact
Talking from the family home with his wife and their family dog by his side, Moody was overwhelmed by feeling when he mentioned telling his sons - 17-year Dylan and 15-year-old Ethan - the traumatic news, stating: "That represented the toughest thing I've ever had to do."
"These are two excellent boys and that was quite upsetting," Moody stated.
"We positioned ourselves on the settee in tears, Ethan and Dylan both wrapped up in each other, then the dog leapt across and began removing the drops off our faces, which was quite funny."
Moody said the emphasis was staying in the moment.
"We have no cure and that is why you have to be so strongly concentrated on just embracing and appreciating each moment now," he said.
"According to Annie, we've been truly fortunate that the primary choice I made when I concluded playing was to devote as much period with the kids as attainable. We don't get those years back."
Athlete Association
Elite competitors are disproportionately affected by MND, with investigations indicating the rate of the illness is up to six times higher than in the general population.
It is believed that by reducing the oxygen accessible and causing damage to neural pathways, regular, intense exercise can activate the disease in those already genetically susceptible.
Rugby Career
Moody, who gained 71 England selections and competed with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was dubbed 'Mad Dog' during his playing career, in recognition of his fearless, unwavering method to the game.
He competed through a fracture of his leg for a period with Leicester and once caused a training-ground scuffle with team-mate and friend Martin Johnson when, annoyed, he left a training equipment and started participating in physical contacts.
After appearing 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 decisive moment of play, setting a base for half-back Matt Dawson to attack and Jonny Wilkinson to score the match-winning field goal.
Backing Network
Moody has previously told Johnson, who led England to that victory, and a few other previous team-mates about his medical situation, but the rest will be discovering his news with the broader public.
"We'll have a period when we'll need to depend on their support but, at the present, just having that kind of care and recognition that people are present is all that matters," he said.
"Rugby is such a great community.
"I told to the kids the other day, I've had an extraordinary life.
"Even when it finished now, I've appreciated all of it and accepted all of it and got to do it with exceptional people.
"When you get to call your passion your profession, it's one of the most significant privileges.
"To have done it for so extended a period with the teams that I did it with was a joy. And I am aware they will wish to help in every way they can and I await having those discussions."
