Penrith Panthers legend Royce Simmons has confirmed he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, as he plans to embark on a 300km charity walk in May.
The 61-year-old is synonymous with the Panthers, scoring two tries in the club's first-ever premiership victory in 1991.
Simmons confirmed his diagnosis in an interview with senior journalist Neil Cadigan this week.
“The doctor said 'you told me you’d had a few concussions over the years; there are a couple of white marks which may have been from the concussions,’ and I’m thinking that’s good, just a couple of marks from concussions," Simmons said.
“Then he pointed to another part of the brain and said ‘around here, that’s all Alzheimer’s’.
"It was like someone had knocked me off my feet. The rest of the appointment is just a blur; I was so shocked, even though in the back of my mind I was worried something might show up.
“One of my first questions was; well how long before I won’t even know my family.
“I walked through the door, looked at Leanne (his wife) and just sort of lost it.
“But, just like I thought she’d be, Leanne has been really strong and really supportive. She’s been wonderful, keeping me in check with my routine without ever being over the top.
“I told our kids next, which was hard obviously. That’s a big thing for me; I’m more worried about the people who look after me. I don’t want Leanne wasting ten to fifteen years of her life because of my condition, or the kids coming to see me and feeling down because of what I’m like.
“It’s that sort of condition; you have all the stats about people who suffer from dementia or die from it but you’ve got to multiply that by 10 or 20 people who suffer as well alongside them.
“I want to help raise money for research as a mark of respect for the medical people who have worked so hard find a cure or a successful treatment and all those people who suffer watching a loved one go down the path of losing who they once were.”
Simmons is planning to walk from his home town of Gooloogong to Penrith over 10 days, beginning on May 17th, in hopes to raise funds for Dementia Australia.
In the interview, the legendary hooker said he doesn't want people to treat him any differently after learning of his Alzheimer's diagnosis.
“If they’re used to abusing me or taking the piss out of me, please keep doing it,” he laughs.
“I’ve still got the capability of biting back, don’t worry.
“Walking is really good for me and if I could get some people who have been successful in life to do different legs with me and share stories, it will help even more.
“And if we can get sponsorship support and do some talking gigs along the route, it could help raise money for junior footy and dementia research and that’s even more important to me.”
To donate to Royce’s Big Walk, click here.