Ex-footballer Chris Kamara shares moving health update after brain injury

Former footballer Chris Kamara told an awards audience he is “through to the other side” of his brain injury, speaking at the National Diversity Awards.

The 67-year-old broadcaster, diagnosed with speech apraxia in 2022, said the “kindness of people” had helped him in his recovery.

Speech apraxia is a motor speech disorder that affects the brain’s ability to plan and programme the complex muscle movements needed for speech.

People with the condition may struggle to speak or have limited speech at times.

“As some of you may know, I’ve recently had a brain injury. The good thing is I’m through it now, I’m through to the other side. And it is thanks to the kindness of people like you, so thank you all very much indeed,” Kamara told the audience.

Kamara was diagnosed with speech apraxia shortly after experiencing “brain fog” during a 2021 interview on The One Show.

Following his diagnosis, he stepped back from sports presenting to focus on his health.

During his awards speech, he joked about “doing the job he was supposed to do” before turning to more serious subjects.

“Right, onto the job I’m supposed to do. Unfortunately, we live in a world where racism and prejudice still exist. Sometimes, it takes real strength just to be yourself.

“In my world, I believe everyone is equal and the people I know think exactly the same.”

The update marks progress from June, when Kamara admitted he was “very weak” as the condition, which can also affect balance, left him struggling with movement.

He said he finds walking down stairs particularly difficult.

After stepping back from presenting, Kamara travelled to Mexico for treatment aimed at slowing or hopefully reversing the condition’s effects.

His speech later improved enough for him to return to TV commentary during the Premier League Boxing Day games in 2024, though he remains selective about work because of ongoing balance issues.

“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,” he told the Daily Star.

“So I’m not like the old Chris Kamara who would say yes to the opening of an envelope. 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.”

Dyspraxia is a coordination disorder that affects movement and balance, often seen alongside other neurological conditions.

“So I’m weak, really weak, and you know, going down these stairs isn’t great. G

“oing 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.”

He added with a joke: “Don’t be in the queue behind me because I’ll be five minutes getting down those plane steps!”

Kamara has previously said the condition has had a huge impact on his life.

“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,” he said.

“The brain tells me that I am going to fall, and unfortunately I often do.”