Professional Wrestler Tanea Brooks, 47, Breaks Down in Tears Revealing ALS Diagnosis, Says She Prays for a ‘Peaceful' Death

Tanea Brooks during her wrestling days, Tanea Brooks revealing her ALS diagnosis. Credit: rebeltanea/Instagram NEED TO KNOW Professional wrestler Tanea Brooks has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) The All Elite Wrestling (AEW) star, 47, learned she has the disease amid cancer treatments "Please continue to pray for a peaceful journey and a peaceful passing. I love you,” Brooks said, breaking down in tears in an emotional video on May 1 Tanea Brooks — known in the wrestling ring as "Rebel" — has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

The All Elite Wrestling (AEW) star, 47, revealed in an emotional Instagram post on Friday, May 1, that she has been diagnosed with the fatal disease. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing muscle weakness, slurred speech and eventual paralysis, according to the Mayo Clinic . View this post on Instagram “The doctors have diagnosed me with terminal ALS,” Brooks said in her video.

“There is not a lot of research behind ALS, and we don’t know how long I have. But it explains why I have trouble walking and talking, and all my functions will soon decline. ” “But now we can prepare for the future and what is to come.

And I want to say thank you,” she continued, then breaking down in tears as she expressed specific gratitude toward AEW and Tony Khan, the president and CEO of the organization. "It has been a blessing that is unheard of, and from the bottom of my heart, thank you," Brooks said, also thanking supporters for their prayers. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.