Former British and Irish Lion and Wales wing Dafydd James has disclosed that he has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia, which he believes may explain his mental health issues.
James, 47, has joined legal action against rugby’s governing bodies, the Rugby Football Union (RFU), World Rugby, and the Welsh Rugby Union, citing his “daily battle” to help others (WRU).
The former player, who earned 48 caps for Wales while playing for Scarlets, Bridgend, and Pontypridd, had his career cut short by a neck injury in 2009. He reported having panic attacks and anxiety since the end of his playing career.
James was diagnosed with probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain condition, after he felt something was wrong with him and underwent tests for dementia. He stated that speaking out has been “healing” and that he hopes to assist other individuals with mental health issues.
He has explained his diagnosis to his two sons, but they “don’t really understand,” he says. James is among the 169 former rugby union players who are suing the three governing bodies. They are accused of not protecting players from permanent brain injuries.
Former rugby union, league, and football players are expected to join the case, according to attorneys for the plaintiffs. Due to the long-term care that some players may require, if successful, it could cost hundreds of millions of pounds.
James hopes that the legal action will make the game safer and allow it to “thrive.” World Rugby, the WRU, and the RFU stated in a joint statement that they were “devastated” by the personal accounts of James and other former players struggling with health issues.
Dafydd James, who scored a try in the Lions’ 2001 victory over Australia, is now involved with multiple charities and hopes that his diagnosis will lead to more dementia research. He stated: “I believe that knowledge is the key to comprehension. I simply believe that knowledge is essential and that people must practise with care.”
Dafydd James, a former British and Irish Lion, has disclosed his diagnosis of early-onset dementia and joined a lawsuit against rugby’s governing bodies. James, who was forced to retire from rugby in 2009 due to an injury, believes this may account for his mental health problems. He has discussed his “daily struggle” to help others, and he hopes that his diagnosis will lead to more dementia research.
James is among the 169 former rugby union players suing World Rugby, the WRU, and the RFU. They allege that the governing bodies failed to protect them from permanent brain injuries. Due to the need for long-term care by some players, the claim could reach hundreds of millions of pounds.
James hopes that the legal action will make the game safer and allow it to “thrive.” World Rugby, the WRU, and the RFU stated in a joint statement that they were “devastated” by the personal accounts of James and other former players struggling with health issues.
James commented on his probable diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain condition, as follows: “In a way, it highlights that I have a little bit of an explanation for why I feel the way I do. It’s cathartic in a way to tell people that I struggle with my mental health because I’m trying to help other people who are suffering, and there are plenty of people who are suffering.”
Former British and Irish Lion Dafydd James has disclosed that he has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia, which he believes may explain his mental health issues. The 47-year-old is one of 169 former rugby union players who have filed a lawsuit against the sport’s governing bodies, the Rugby Football Union (RFU), World Rugby, and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), alleging that they failed to protect players from permanent brain injuries. Due to the need for long-term care by some players, the claim could reach hundreds of millions of pounds. Despite this, James is optimistic that it will make the game safer, allowing it to “prosper.” He is also involved with a number of charitable organisations and hopes that his diagnosis will lead to more knowledge about dementia.
