Sky Sports star, Chris Kamara’s life was turned upside down in 2022 when he was diagnosed with apraxia of speech (AOS), which also affected his balance and co-ordination
Beloved football pundit, Chris ‘Kammy’ Kamara has heartbreakingly admitted he’s ‘no longer the person he used to be’ following his life-changing diagnosis. The Sky Sports star’s life was turned upside down in 2022 when he was diagnosed with apraxia of speech (AOS), which also affected his balance and co-ordination.
Chris, 67, flew to Mexico for treatment in a bid to reverse or slow down some of the effects of the neurological disorder, which include difficulty when speaking. However, despite initial success, the machine that transmitted radio frequency and magnetic fields into the body – similar to an MRI – became less effective, resulting in Chris stopping treatment.
READ MORE: Chris Kamara reveals heartbreaking reason why he apologised to his wife after diagnosis
Telling The Sun his family told him to accept the fact that his life has changed, he said: “In so many ways, the diagnosis has changed my life, I am no longer the person I used to be, so I would be lying if I said it hasn’t changed me.”
Alongside apraxia, Chris also has thyroid problems. He says he’s also battling with dyspraxia which affects his co-ordination and balance.
Admitting this is “quite scary”, he revealed: “The brain tells me that I am going to fall, and unfortunately I often do.”
The TV presenter, who has been on our screens for two decades, waited for 18 months before seeking help for his condition, which “makes talking difficult, with sufferers knowing what they’d like to say, but having trouble communicating their words,” according to the NHS.
Chris, who returned to TV punditry on Boxing Day, says he regrets waiting so long, admitting he wished he’d been diagnosed sooner.
Speaking to the Mirror for Mental Heath Awareness Week last week, the star said when he first realised his speech difficulties, he thought he may be suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s. “It was a really tough period” he recalled.
The former professional footballer spent 24 years presenting Soccer Saturday alongside Jeff Stelling but stepped back in 2022 after his diagnosis.
Despite ‘not being the person he was’, Chris is still in demand on TV, saying of his future career on screen: “I am being offered opportunities all the time, so I can’t rule it out.
“Unfortunately, speech is what is needed for presenting, and mine has become unreliable as far as speed goes.”
Chris says he has seen “massive improvements” with the clarity of his speech, adding that he no longer struggles to find words, which he says was a big problem a couple of years ago.
Referring to his iconic delivery style in which he would fire off football stats and live match updates, he added: “My family constantly remind that I used to speak at 100 miles an hour anyway, which is quite unusual, so I should relax into speaking more slowly, which I now do.”
READ MORE: Beyoncé Cowboy Carter tour reviews call concerts ‘masterwork’ and ‘powerful’
