CHRIS Kamara will open up about a medical condition that affects his speech in a new TV documentary.
The former Bradford City player and manager revealed that he has apraxia of speech (AOS), a disorder that affects the way a person connects speech messages from their brain to their mouth.
He was initially diagnosed in October 2021 and went public about his condition in March this year, as he was prompted to post an initial message on social media after viewers of Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday became concerned over his speech as he broadcasted from the League One clash between Rotherham United and Shrewsbury Town.
Chris Kamara: Lost For Words, to be screened on ITV1 on December 14, follows the popular broadcaster as he seeks advice from experts and meets others with AOS who are making their way through this rare condition.
He said: “This documentary is a very personal one for me. “I am really keen to raise awareness about Apraxia of Speech/Dyspraxia.
“Little is known about it which makes the diagnosis so much harder to navigate.
“Hopefully by sharing my story it will raise awareness and also help people who may also be living with this condition by showing them that there are ways to manage it and to still live a fulfilling life.”
My main objective in this documentary is to help raise awareness of all speech conditions in children who are born with problems, & adults who have acquired speech problems or had a stroke or been in an accident. If you watch on @ITV Wednesday 9pm I hope it comes over in that way https://t.co/VOpnuWDqgU
— Chris Kamara (@chris_kammy) December 12, 2022
In the one-hour-long documentary, Kamara, nicknamed ‘Kammy’, is also shown meeting with his consultant neurologist and going into an oxygen chamber, which he does each week to improve his speech.
In the programme, Kamara says: “I am doing everything I can to get better, but what the future holds I don’t know.
“I’m in a bit better place than I was. It’s a long process and it’s going the right way.”
Kamara says he now only works on pre-recorded broadcasting, rather than live TV and radio, due to his AOS, which has included co-presenting and commentating on ITV’s Saturday night show, Ninja Warrior.
He initially joined Bradford City as a player, making 23 appearances and scoring three goals during the 1994/95 season.
Kamara then took over as manager at Valley Parade in 1995 until he left to join Stoke City as boss in 1998.
The highlight of his time in charge of the Bantams came when he secured promotion in 1996 following a 2-0 win over Notts County at Wembley in the Second Division play-off final.
Chris Kamara: Lost For Words will be screened on ITV1 and ITVX on Wednesday, December 14 at 9pm.
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