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TV presenter Chris Kamara has told of his big regret which had life-changing consequences. The former footballer has told how he has now "accepted" his future which was changed by one key mistake. Speaking to “See What’s Possible” podcast host Myleene Klass he told how his life was changed when he was diagnosed with with speech apraxia - a condition that almost ended his broadcasting career. The condition means the contact between the brain and the mouth breaks down. Chris explains: "Basically, the thought process is still there. But when you come to say the words, they're not there or they either come out wrong and people can't understand you." The health condition first appeared during lockdown and Chris told how his wife, Anne, thought he had been drinking - despite it only being 11am. He said: "I knew in my mind that something was wrong but obviously being a stupid man, I didn't want to say anything to her - didn't want to say anything to anyone. And then it just gets worse and worse." When Anne told him he needed to get checked out he refused saying there was "no way" he would sit with a doctor and try to explain what was "going on in my head". He finally went when his sons persuaded him. He was at first diagnosed with an under active thyroid but when the speech issues didn't clear he continued to ignore them, worried he would lose his job with Sky. Then things took a turn he couldn't ignore as he presented a match between Rotherham and Shrewsbury. He said: "It was incoherent. I couldn't say the words properly. "I said the odd one or two wrong beforehand, but this particular game, most of the words came out wrong. So after the game, I got in my car and I thought, I wonder if anybody's noticed." It only took a look at his then Twitter account to see they had. He told how people were asking him what was wrong and if he had been drinking. It was then he told people on the social media site of his condition. And far from a tirade of abuse he said there was an "outpouring of love" from fans. But his big regret is not seeking medical help sooner. Speech apraxia is a motor speech disorder where the brain struggles to plan and coordinate speech movements, causing inconsistent or inaccurate word pronunciation. While it is not curable it can be managed - and the risk of developing it can be reduced by managing factors which make it more likely such as a stroke. Chris told how the condition at one point left him at "rock bottom" and fearing we would be a burden to his family. He said: “When you reach rock bottom, which I did, you think there's no way out." But he added: "So accepting I'm no longer the person I was, and that I can’t improve my condition, everything in life is a bonus now. To come out the other side and see life as it is, is just incredible.” He also speaks openly about his own mental health, saying “That’s the thing, I never really believed in mental health, I thought ‘Come on, What's up with you? What could be so bad? Get yourself out of it!’ [...] Then you go through it and realise what it’s all about.” And he said he regrets putting off doctors' appointments that could have resulted in an earlier diagnosis. he added: "I could have prevented my condition, if I had gone to see the doctor earlier." Encouraging people to seek medical advice earlier on if they’re unsure, he said: “I realise now how stupid I was, I could have prevented my condition, or possibly could have, if I went to see the doctors early. I never thought I'd be in a situation I was, so that messes with your head and then obviously the condition carried on” Three years on from diagnosis he also talks about how he is managing his condition now to be a “new version of himself” including focusing on his mental health. He also has quarterly eye checks at Boots Opticians to proactively monitor his health, examining how eye tests can detect wider health issues like high blood pressure and diabetes. * Chris Kamara’s See What’s Possible episode is available to watch on Boots Opticians’ YouTube Channel and listen to on Acast, Spotify and Apple.
