Former rugby star Lewis Moody has described the mental battle as the hardest part of his motor neurone disease (MND) diagnosis, speaking in a pre-recorded segment on The One Show alongside his wife Annie and former teammate Phil Vickery.
The 48-year-old, who was diagnosed with the condition last year, reflected on how he approaches life since receiving the news.
Mental battle and physical changes
Moody said: "The hardest part about this is the mental battle. The way in which I approach life is with positivity. 50% of people die within two to three years, but that means 50% don't."
He explained that his condition began in his shoulder, describing it as limb-based onset that is "gradually sort of switching off." He added: "Then in the hand, cutting up your meat gets tricky; writing is slower."
Telling family and close friends
During the programme, Moody and Annie spoke about the moment they told their two sons, Dylan and Ethan, about the diagnosis. Annie said: "Coming back to tell the boys was horrendous. There is no easy way of telling them something like that. They are so close to their dad; you're their idol, aren't you, really."
Moody responded: "That was really hard, as a parent, to know that you've caused distress to your child by sharing a piece of information."
He also recalled telling his mother, noting: "You have to tell your mum that her only child has got a life-limiting condition."
Focus on impact and new book
Moody said his main concerns since the diagnosis have been supporting his family and making an impact within the MND space. He said: "All I've ever wanted to do since my diagnosis is make sure the family are supported and the other was to have as big an impact as possible within the MND space with the platform that I have."
Vickery remembered the moment he learned the news, saying: "I remember me crying uncontrollably and you comforting me about your diagnosis."
Moody has recently authored a book about his diagnosis, which he said will chronicle the journey he has experienced so far. Reflecting on his sporting background, he remarked: "Your mindset is just programmed to not see anything as a wall, a barrier, it's just something to overcome. It's a hurdle, it's an obstacle, how do you get around it? I can't necessarily overcome MND, but I can certainly use that same mindset to go, 'Right, what can I do?'"
The One Show continues weeknights on BBC One from 7pm.
