Rare speech condition that affects Chris Kamara explained

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Chris Kamara is one of the most popular figures in English football following a stellar career as a player, manager, pundit and TV presenter. (Image: Getty Images)
Chris Kamara is one of the most popular figures in English football following a stellar career as a player, manager, pundit and TV presenter. (Image: Getty Images)

Football legend and TV presenter Chris Kamara has opened up about his battle with rare neurological disorder apraxia in his new book out next month.

The condition affects speech, balance, dexterity and strength and can also have a devastating effect on the sufferer's mental health. In his new book, titled ‘Kammy’, Chris admits dark thoughts at his lowest point left him feeling he did not want to be a burden on his wife Anne.

He admitted to thinking about footballer Gary Speed’s tragic suicide more than a decade ago, saying: “I thought of Gary Speed and then I thought of my own position – a man in his mid-sixties, whose best days, because of a brain condition, were gone, struggling on while becoming a weight on all around him. Whose wife and children would be left to deal with whatever I became. I didn’t want that for Anne and the boys. So how do you prevent it from happening? You take yourself out of the picture."

Thankfully, Chris sought help for his mental struggles and began to realise that the "future was not so bleak" as he began to accept his illness. He urged anyone else contemplating such troubling thoughts to seek support.

If you feel like you need to talk to someone, help and support is available 24/7 - Call Samaritans free on 116 123, or email [email protected]

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What is apraxia of speech?

Apraxia of speech (AOS) , also known as acquired apraxia of speech, verbal apraxia, or childhood apraxia, is a speech-sound disorder, which makes it harder for a sufferer to say what they need to.

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) says the condition disrupts the brain pathways used to plan the sequence of movements involved in speech. Frustratingly, the brain knows what it wants to say, but simply can't plan and sequence the necessary speech and sound movements.

The severity can vary from person to person, ranging from causing the sufferer problems with a handful of speech sounds through to being severe enough to needing an alternative way of communicating. Contrary to what some believe, AOS isn't actually caused by paralysis or weakness of the speech muscles.

What are the types and causes of apraxia of speech?

The main symptoms of apraxia of speech

Chris Kamara's apraxia and what it means for him

Chris Kamara is one of the most popular figures in English football following a stellar career as a player, manager, pundit and TV presenter. He has previously said that apraxia of speech "feels like someone has taken over my voice box".

Chris was one of the most popular pundits on Soccer Saturday for more than two decades thanks to his unique style of reporting. His catchphrase "unbelievable Jeff" - delivered when talking to presenter Jeff Stelling - is one of the most iconic in the sport.

As well as working as a pundit, Kamara also established himself as a TV presenter. He co-hosted Goals on Sunday on Sky Sports for 22 years, with Ben Shephard joining him for much of that time. The two still host Kammy & Ben's Proper Football Podcast together.

Before moving into television, Kamara played top-fight football for Leeds, Luton, Sheffield United and Middlesbrough as a midfielder. He also played for Portsmouth, Swindon, Brentford, Stoke and Bradford lower down the English football pyramid.

KAMMY: My Unbelievable Life by Chris Kamara is published by Macmillan on November 9, £22

If you feel like you need to talk to someone, please don't suffer in silence. Help and support is available 24/7 - Call Samaritans free on 116 123, or email [email protected]

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Paul Speed

Chris Kamara, NHS, Women's health, Men's Health

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