Ex- England skipper Lewis Moody has announced he has been identified with motor neurone disease and stated he cannot yet deal with the full consequences of the muscle-deteriorating condition that ended the lives of other rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.
The 47-year-old, who was part of the 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning side and secured several English and European titles with Leicester, gave an interview to BBC Breakfast a fortnight after discovering he has the illness.
"There's an element of looking the future in the face and hesitating to really process that at the moment," he commented.
"This doesn't mean I don't understand 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 concentrates on his current wellbeing, his family and planning ahead for when the condition progresses.
"Possibly that's surprise or perhaps I deal with matters in another way, and once I have the information, it's simpler," he continued.
First Symptoms
Moody discovered he had MND after detecting some weakness in his upper arm while training in the gym.
After physical therapy failed to improve the problem, a series of scans indicated nerves in his central nervous system had been damaged by MND.
"You receive this condition identification of MND and we're understandably quite affected about it, but it's so strange because I think everything is fine," he added.
"I don't experience unwell. I don't experience poorly
"My indications are very minor. I have a small amount of muscle loss in the hand area and the upper arm.
"I'm still competent to performing whatever I want. And with luck that will persist for as long as is attainable."
Condition Development
MND can advance swiftly.
According to the non-profit MND Association, the illness kills a 33% of people within a year and more than half within 24 months of diagnosis, as eating and respiration become increasingly challenging.
Medical care can only slow decline.
"It's never me that I feel sad for," stated an moved Moody.
"It's about the grief around having to inform my mum - as an only child - and the consequences that has for her."
Personal Impact
Talking from the residence with his wife and their family dog by his side, Moody was consumed with feeling when he spoke about telling his sons - teenage Dylan and 15-year-old Ethan - the devastating news, stating: "This was the hardest thing I've ever had to do."
"They're two wonderful boys and that was quite heartbreaking," Moody said.
"We were seated on the settee in crying, Ethan and Dylan both hugging in each other, then the dog leapt across and commenced licking the moisture off our faces, which was quite funny."
Moody said the priority was staying in the present.
"There exists no cure and that is why you have to be extremely strongly directed on just embracing and enjoying everything now," he said.
"As my wife mentioned, we've been very lucky that the sole determination I made when I concluded playing was to allocate as much duration with the kids as feasible. We won't recover those periods back."
Player Association
Elite competitors are unevenly affected by MND, with research suggesting the incidence of the illness is up to sixfold elevated than in the broader public.
It is considered that by reducing the oxygen available and producing injury to motor neurone cells, frequent, intense exercise can trigger the disease in those already genetically susceptible.
Rugby Professional Life
Moody, who won 71 England appearances and toured with the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005, was called 'Mad Dog' during his professional days, in acknowledgment of his courageous, relentless style to the game.
He played through a bone injury of his leg for a duration with Leicester and once initiated a practice altercation with colleague and friend Martin Johnson when, annoyed, he left a practice gear and began engaging in physical contacts.
After entering as a replacement in the Rugby World Cup championship win over Australia in 2003, he claimed a ball at the end of the set piece in the critical phase of play, setting a foundation for half-back Matt Dawson to attack and Jonny Wilkinson to score the match-winning drop kick.
Assistance Community
Moody has earlier told Johnson, who led England to that championship, and a few other former team-mates about his diagnosis, but the others will be finding out his news with the remainder of public.
"There shall be a moment when we'll need to lean on their assistance but, at the moment, just having that type of love and recognition that people are available is all that matters," he commented.
"This game is such a excellent family.
"I told to the kids the other day, I've had an extraordinary life.
"Even when it concluded now, I've enjoyed all of it and accepted all of it and got to do it with remarkable people.
"Being able to consider your enthusiasm your profession, it's one of the greatest privileges.
"Achieving this for so long a time with the squads that I did it with was a delight. And I am aware they will want to support in every way they can and I look forward to having those conversations."
