Chris Kamara has shared an update on his health with his fans during an appearance on Monday's episode of This Morning following his apraxia diagnosis.
The former footballer, 65, has suffered with impaired mobility and speech due to the condition but now admits he 'no longer feels sorry for himself'.
He told hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley when they asked how he was doing: 'I'm doing great, I've got everything back apart from the speed in my voice.
'I've got the fluency, the brain when you want to talk, it's not interrupted anymore, it's fluent. If you met me before you would think I always talk like this but as he (Ben) knows. I would speak at 300 miles an hour and not stop to think what I'd said but now I get more time!'
Ben shared with viewers that Chris' condition affects his balance and strength while Chris told how he finds it difficult to walk downstairs without the handrail.
Chris Kamara has shared an update on his health with his fans during an appearance on Monday's episode of This Morning following his apraxia diagnosis
The former footballer, 65, has suffered with impaired mobility and speech due to the condition but now admits he 'no longer feels sorry for himself'
He added: 'But, that's alright I'm quite happy with that. I can get by, there's always someone worse off than you. So I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm on the mend. I've stopped feeling for myself, which I did at the beginning but now I'm on the mend.'
Referencing Chris' memoir, Kammy: My Unbelievable Life, Cat said she thinks many will relate to his story because they don't want to admit something isn't quite right.
She commented: 'You don't want to say it, even to the people that you love the most. Then you realise, actually, I do need some help.'
He explained: 'I apologised to my family who were 100 per cent behind me and they knew what was going on. But, inside your own head, you worry, you think you're going to be a burden. You think the worst things in the world.
'Once you get those out of your head the only way you can do that is by talking to people and people reassure you. The reaction I had was amazing, I thank every person out there who seems to get in touch and give support.'
Chris recently said he will be forever grateful to Kate Garraway for helping him in his hour of need.
Chris is hoping his third trip to Mexico for life changing treatment will help him beat his speech disorder.
Apraxia is a motor disorder caused by damage to the brain that significantly impedes speech, which he was diagnosed with in 2021.
Ben shared with viewers that Chris' condition affects his balance and strength while Chris told how he finds it difficult to walk downstairs without the handrail (pictured April 2024)
He told hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley when they asked how he was doing: 'I'm doing great, I've got everything back apart from the speed in my voice
'I've got the fluency, the brain when you want to talk, it's not interrupted anymore, it's fluent. If you met me before you would think I always talk like this but as he (Ben) knows...'
The diagnosis led to Chris stepping away from many of his TV commitments for a time while he came to terms with the diagnosis.
He has credited friend Kate and her late husband Derek Draper, who lost his battle with COVID-19 in January, for inspiring him to get help overseas and now he is confident that he will soon be back to where he was.
Chris has been to the NeuroCytonix clinic in Monterrey, Mexico for treatment on two separate occasions, and he hopes his third will help him get back to his old self.
He said: 'I know what it’s like to be isolated – and having very dark thoughts. When I first was diagnosed with my illness, I didn’t tell my wife, my family, or my friends.
'And all of a sudden, when I did reveal my truth, I started getting help from all sorts of people.
'Kate Garraway was one such person that reached out to help, after she took her late husband to Mexico for experimental therapy that isn’t available in the UK.
'I’m incredibly grateful for her support – I’ve now been twice so far and achieved real progress each time.
'I’m hoping with a third trip booked, that I’ll be able to improve my condition even further.'
He added: 'I still have my off days, but I’d say I’m 20% away from where I used to be, say, three-and-a-half years ago.'
Established in 2018, the NeuroCytonix clinic welcomes patients from across the world for experimental treatment and 'innovative solutions to repair the brain and cure the incurable.'
Cerebral palsy, dramatic brain jury, long COVID brain fog and stroke are included among their core treatments.
Chris admitted last year that he felt like a 'fraud' due to apraxia affecting his speech
Chris was speaking as he teamed up with Mercedes-Benz Vans to help launch Vantasy Football, a five-a-side tournament to bring van drivers together through team sport and improve mental wellbeing.
He is hosting the event, which is exclusively for van drivers and takes place at St George’s Park, England’s football training ground in August.
And after a 20-year playing career that ended in 1995 with a short spell at Bradford City, the former midfielder knows how important sport can be.
'Spending time on your own, not talking to people, these things have a real impact on mental health,' he revealed.
'I know what isolation does to you. Sport is such a major part of my life and my recovery.
'The camaraderie of sport – being part of a team – is such a great way to overcome loneliness.'
Chris previously revealed he once considered ending his own life as he struggled to come to terms with being diagnosed with apraxia.
The TV personality has established himself as one of football's best loved and most celebrated sports broadcasters during his career on Sky Sports.
In a new book titled 'Kammy', serialised by the Daily Mirror, Chris admitted in his darkest moments that he contemplated suicide as he did not want to become a burden to his wife Anne.
'I'm going to admit something now, something I've never mentioned before,' Chris wrote. 'It's hard for me to talk about, so bear with me.
'I worried about where I was going to end up. Would my physical and neurological deterioration just keep going and going? And I worried more about the effect it would have on those around me.'
He added: 'I'm a man who has always wanted to help, to provide, to love and nurture those around me. And now I could only see myself as a burden. A shell of the man I used to be that they would be left to look after.'
'Seeing myself like that was like staring into an abyss. I could never reconcile that image in my head. It was unthinkable.'
'And it’s at that point I’d think, "They’d be better off without me"'.
For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. See www.samaritans.org for details.
The presenter and former footballer says Kate Garraway urged him to seek treatment in Mexico after she took her late husband for experimental therapy that isn’t available in the UK
Former political lobbyist Derek lost his battle with COVID-19 in January. almost four years after being diagnosed with the respiratory illness
