‘I’m really weak’ – Chris Kamara gives health update as Sky Sports legend reveals new role
CHRIS KAMARA admitted “I’m really weak” after giving a health update while securing a new role.
The Sky Sports legend, 67, was forced to step back from broadcasting two years after being diagnosed with apraxia of speech (AOS).
The condition sees sufferers struggle to speak as the brain is unable to properly control the muscles used to form words.
Kamara exclusively told The Sun last month that he had travelled to Mexico for treatment.
He also suffers from dyspraxia, which affects his balance and coordination.
And now, the fan favourite has managed to land himself a new role.
For one day only, Kamara will be serving free chip butties at Camden Market with Burton’s Fish ’N’ Chips on Friday June 6.
The unusual role is part of National Fish ‘N’ Chips Day.
Kamara carefully considered the surprise gig before accepting it because of his AOS and dyspraxia.
And he admits his health battle has left him feeling “really weak” overall.
Kamara told The Star: “I’m choosy these days.
“That’s what’s happened with the work because even though I’ve got the acceptance of my condition, I still don’t want to put myself in a situation where it comes back to bite me.
“So I’m not like the old Chris Kamara who would say yes to the opening of an envelope.
What is apraxia of speech?
Apraxia of speech is a condition which makes talking difficult, with sufferers knowing what they’d like to say, but having trouble communicating their words.
The NHS says that the condition can be extremely frustrating for people.
They explained: “Frequently the person with apraxia will have difficulties with conversational speech. However they may be good at ‘automatic’ speech tasks such as counting, swearing, repeating rhymes, greetings and farewell.
It’s usually caused by damage to the left side of the brain, such as a stroke.
The condition does not affect a person’s understanding and the symptoms of the condition can vary occurring to the severity of the disorder.
The main symptoms are:
- being able to say a word correctly one minute and then not the next
- difficulty at the beginning of words
- greater difficulty with longer words
- aware of mistakes but unable to correct them
- speaking slowly
- being better at ‘automatic tasks’ such as counting and singing.
“Whereas now I’m a bit more choosy and will I put myself in a situation where it won’t work out alongside my apraxia, I have dyspraxia, which affects your balance.
“So I’m weak, really weak, and you know, going down these stairs isn’t great.
“Going up these stairs is fine, but going down these stairs, the brain tells you you’re going to fall even though you probably won’t, so you have to hold on to the banister and getting on planes and things like that.”
On his dyspraxia, Kamara added: “Walking is fine but the thing is if I trip I can’t put my arms out anymore to stop my fall, so if I was riding a bike, when you stop, the brain won’t allow your feet to go down and stop you falling.
“You just fall over the sides, it’s crazy, but the brain is so complex, it’s amazing.
“I didn’t realise the compartments of the brain, where if you talk in an accent. So (for me) I advise speaking in a Scottish accent.
“The flow is quicker than my normal speeds, which is crazy, but that’s the brain for it.”