‘My world is falling apart’: Wales rugby icon Ryan Jones reveals heartbreaking dementia diagnosis at just 41 and admits he is ‘terrified’ about the future… as he claims the sport is ‘walking with its eyes closed into a catastrophic situation’
- Ex-Wales captain Ryan Jones has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia
- The 41-year-old admits he is ‘terrified’ about the future and the impact it will have
- He believes rugby is ‘walking headlong with its eyes closed into a catastrophe’
- It is thought 200 ex-rugby players have been diagnosed with dementia and CTE
Former Wales captain Ryan Jones believes rugby is ‘walking headlong with its eyes closed into a catastrophic situation’ after he revealed he is suffering with early onset dementia.
In an emotional interview with The Sunday Times, Jones, 41, has opened up on his diagnosis with both dementia and probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
He follows in the footsteps of England’s 2003 World Cup-winning hooker Steve Thompson, another former Wales international in Alix Popham, and others in dealing with the illnesses.
Ryan Jones feels his ‘world is falling apart’ after being diagnosed with early-onset dementia
The Mail on Sunday understands the number of ex-players who have been diagnosed with early onset dementia and probable CTE could reach up to 200.
‘I feel like my world is falling apart,’ said Jones, who won 75 Welsh caps and captained his country on 33 occasions.
He also played in all three Tests for the British & Irish Lions in New Zealand in 2005.
Jones continued: ‘I am really scared. I lived 15 years of my life like a superhero and I’m not. I don’t know what the future holds.
‘I am a product of an environment that is all about process and human…
Source : dailymail
