NRL star Jai Arrow has revealed the very surprising silver lining to his motor neurone disease diagnosis in a hilarious radio interview with his wife Berina Colakovic.
The former South Sydney forward, 31, appeared on KIIS FM’s breakfast show with Berina on Monday morning, and the pair shocked the hosts with a cheeky confession.
During the interview, co-host Mike Etheridge asked Jai if he missed being physically active as he undergoes ALS treatment following his diagnosis in May.
‘I can’t run! Right now I’m a little uncoordinated and all. But it is what it is,” Jai began.
However, Jai cheekily admitted that one surprising bright spot was that his sex life with his wife Berina was currently better than ever.
‘The orgasms are better! They are incredible,” Jai joked.
NRL star Jai Arrow has revealed the very surprising silver lining to his motor neurone disease diagnosis in a hilarious radio interview with his wife Berina Colakovic. Both shown
Berina was mortified by the admission, saying “no, no, no” before Jai made the comments, clearly aware of what he would say next.
“I didn’t know we’d do that again,” she said, burying her head in her hands.
MND is a progressive neurological disorder that damages the nerves responsible for controlling muscles, gradually affecting movement, speech, swallowing and breathing.
Experts have noted that while ALS can seriously affect movement, sexual sensation and function can remain intact, with the increased emotional intimacy and focus on his relationship potentially making it more intense for Jai.
It follows reports that Jai is taking HIV medication and using hyperbaric chambers as he throws his all into the battle against ALS.
The Sydney-born former athlete said his determination to slow the disease is driven by his one-year-old daughter Ayla and his desire to witness milestones such as her first day of school and her wedding.
The former South Sydney striker appeared on KIIS FM’s breakfast show with his wife Berina on Monday morning, and the pair shocked the hosts with a cheeky confession
Jai cheekily admitted that one surprising bright spot was that his sex life with his wife Berina was currently better than ever
Jai explained his extensive treatment plan during a candid appearance on the Chats from a Chair podcast with Nick Dempsey.
In addition to the medications prescribed by his neurologist, Jai follows a high-protein, anti-inflammatory diet and focuses on stress management.
There is currently no cure for MND, and hyperbaric chambers are not established treatments to slow the disease.
Jai described them as part of his personal holistic approach alongside medical care, with his regimen including a drug that most people wouldn’t expect to use for ALS.
“I don’t have it, but I take HIV medication,” Jai said.
‘Why? Don’t know. I do what the neurologist told me to do.’
Jai said he understood the medication was intended to suppress activity in his body.
He said he combined the medications with a broader approach to his health.
“I follow them, but I also take a holistic approach,” he said.
“The biggest, I think, the two biggest killers, well, three, one is stress management, nutrition, food that you eat, and then a high-protein, anti-inflammatory diet. And people give up. And I have control over it.”
His speech has deteriorated, his left arm has become increasingly uncoordinated, and he can no longer spread his fingers or run.
Jai said the disease has also affected his emotions, making him prone to irritation and uncontrollable laughter during serious or emotional moments.
His first symptoms emerged during the preseason when he struggled with pull-ups, noticed changes in his speech and developed weakness and muscle twitches in his arm and shoulder.
