Chris Kamara Gets Emotional Discussing Speech Apraxia Issues on Good Morning Britain
Key Highlights :
Chris Kamara, the beloved Soccer Saturday legend, broke down in tears while discussing his ongoing battle with speech apraxia on Good Morning Britain. The former footballer opened up about his diagnosis, revealing how he felt "ashamed" and was "in denial" about his condition for some time. His emotional story had viewers in tears, with many asking "who's cutting onions?" on social media.
Kamara was diagnosed with Apraxia of Speech, a neurological disorder which affects the connection between the brain and mouth, making it difficult for the sufferer to articulate words. He explained how he initially felt "defined" by his condition and was in denial for a while. "I thought that defined me. So my apologies to everyone out with there with a speech condition, because it doesn't define who you are."
The 65-year-old has had a long and illustrious career in football, playing for the likes of Brentford, Stoke and Leeds, and managing Bradford for three years. He is best known for his lengthy stint as a match reporter on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday show, where he won the nation's heart with his warm personality and wit. He left the company in 2022 after nearly a quarter-of-a-Century in the role, shortly after his Apraxia of Speech diagnosis.
Kamara wrote about his condition in his book, where he revealed that he saw himself as "a burden" and thought his family would be "better off" without him. He said: "Seeing myself like that was like staring into an abyss. I could never reconcile that image in my head. It was unthinkable. And it’s at that point I’d think, 'They’d be better off without me'."
The former footballer has received an outpouring of support from fans on social media, with many praising his courage and strength. His story has highlighted the importance of understanding and acceptance of speech conditions, and has served as an inspiration to many.
