In another scene, he tries to describe the "out-of-body" sensation of the brain fogs he suffers, when he suddenly drops out mid-sentence. It's incredibly illustrative. It's up to my generation to pledge our brains so researchers can develop better treatments and ways to make the game safer." Thompson isnow campaigning to improve the game and safeguard those who play it. Unforgettable is described as "part sports memoir – with stories contributed by his world-cup winning teammates and his former manager, Sir Clive Woodward – and part raw human storytelling". The publisher said: "In it, Steve makes memories for himself and for his children, and will relive the biggest battle of his life, with his toughest opponent – his own mind. Despite the constant reminders of what has been lost, and what is still to lose, Steve’s powerful story is one of hope and courage. Unforgettable will stand as testament to the ultimate strength of the human mind – and to a man no longer pushing himself to the limit for competition, but for his own place in the world." The film documents all of this - from Thompson and his family trying to come to terms with his diagnosis, to him lending his voice to the fight to make rugby safer.

From 1st July 2021, VAT will be applicable to those EU countries where VAT is applied to books - this additional charge will be collected by Fed Ex (or the Royal Mail) at the time of delivery. Shipments to the USA & Canada: Thompson said he has experienced "massive guilt for what I've put my family through" since being diagnosed and that he has "massive downers and massive ups".When I had the diagnosis I was all over the place and my family was all over the place," he explained. Drake was initially motivated by the sight of a concussed Hugo Lloris, playing for Tottenham, staying on the field with a concussion in 2013. At first he wondered whether his mission might be akin to inviting a big tobacco company to do more lung cancer research. Now after the Thompson film – “Maybe it was some sort of watershed” – he hopes more people will listen. The Drake Foundation, he adds, is branching out from sport and looking to extend their head injury focus to abusive domestic situations and the prison population. Just let that sink in. Rugby players are increasingly sharing a similar ball park to battered partners and violent inmates. Risky business or not, that is a perception no self-respecting sport can afford to ignore. In 2003, England won the Rugby World Cup. Steve Thompson was there, in England's front row, at the heart of the match, and at the heart of the scrum - one of sport's most destructive, repetitive impacts.

Thompson added: “I’m so excited to be able to work with Bonnier on my book, Unforgettable. It’s not the story that anyone would have chosen for themselves – but it is mine. Countless people in the UK are affected by dementia – either directly or indirectly – and I hope my story can help shed new light on some of the difficult conversations so many of us have to have, and to show people that hope and happiness can be found in even the toughest of situations. If my standing up and speaking out can help someone else, I’m proud to do it.” The disease can only be diagnosed in a brain after death, but some experts believe if history of exposure is evaluated, it is reasonable to conclude that the risk increases. He won 73 England caps and three for the British and Irish Lions in a nine-year international career. We've just got to be proud of these little victories to make the game of rugby a lot safer and for everyone to keep enjoying it. Blink Publishing, part of Bonnier Books, has bought world rights in a “moving and brave” memoir from rugby player Steve Thompson, who has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia as a result of collisions, concussions and injuries from playing the sport.In 2020 he was one of a group of players who launched a legal case to sue rugby's governing bodies for negligence. In January, World Rugby pledged 2022 would be the year of player welfare in the sport. external-link Thompson was diagnosed in 2020 with early onset dementia, which he says is most likely to have been caused by a brain condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). During the film, he describes some of the negative responses that action elicited, including being trolled by rugby fans.