23 February 2024 , 22:59
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After suffering from speech apraxia since 2021, football pundit Chris Kamara struggled with slurred speech, balance and his ability to walk.
But after a chance conversation with Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway, Chris, 66, has revealed he is now on his way to a full recovery, thanks to Kate. The mother of two recently lost her beloved husband Derek Draper to a number of illnesses after falling seriously ill with Covid.
Derek's speech was something that was effected and this explains why Kate was able to recommended an experimental treatment in Brazil, which Chris says has allowed him to become "25 % away from the person I used to be." Speaking on the new series of Dave's travel show World's Most Dangerous Roads, Chris, who lost fluency in his voice said: "I’d say I’m 25 per cent away from the person I used to be." And close pal and former Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling replied: "Seventy five percent of Chris Kamara is more valuable than 100 per cent of a lot of people you see on telly."
Chris Kamara reveals Kate Garraway rescued him from crippling speech condition (Getty Images)
Kate Garraway recommended an experimental treatment to help Chris Kamara recover from his battle with speech apraxia (Getty Images)Chris was diagnosed with speech apraxia in 2021 and the methods explored in this particular treatment remain unknown. And he is now keen for the UK to adopt the treatment method. He said: "The treatment has not been sanctioned by the world medical boards. I’ll be campaigning to try and get it over here."
Sharing the results of his treatment during his tour of Sri Lanka which Jeff, he said: "I thought that was it, it’s over, but I’m back working with my best buddy and maybe getting away with the voice.” Jeff added: "There was a time where I didn’t think I’d see Kammy as we knew him again, but Most Dangerous Roads has given him a boost because he’s realised he can do things."
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Last year, in his book Kammy: My Unbelievable Life revealed that after he was first diagnosed he would talk to the animals he and his wife Anne keep at their sprawling home in Wakefield. He wrote: "As I was gripped by apraxia, and the apparent hopelessness of my future, I'd been escaping more and more down to the animals at the back of the house. Hidden away, that smallholding became my refuge."
He added: "Animals don't judge. You look after them and in return they show you unconditional love. I would talk to them as I stood there. I'd let all my innermost feelings tumble out. I didn't need to worry about them noticing my slowed speech or my compromised stability. It seems silly to say they 'listened', but in those moments that's how it felt. Going down there allowed me to unravel my thoughts. And I'll be honest, some of those thoughts could be dark."
He continued: "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."