‘A true inspiration’: Viewers break down in tears as heartbreaking documentary shows Rob Burrow’s ‘incredible’ wife taking care of him
- Viewers praised Rob Burrow’s wife Lindsey as ‘an inspiration’ after documentary
- Read More: Heartbreaking image shows Rob Burrow being carried by his wife
Viewers have praised Rob Burrow’s wife Lindsey as ‘a true inspiration’ and a ‘superior woman’ after emotional documentary.
The mother-of-three cares for husband Rob, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2019, and their heartbreaking journey was highlighted on ITV’s Rob and Lindsey: Living with MND on Thursday evening.
Powerful footage showed how Lindsey takes care of the rugby league legend following his devastating diagnosis.
Viewers were left in tears and many took to Twitter to praise Lindsey, who is Rob’s full-time carer, and took to Twitter to express their admiration for the stoic mother.
One person wrote: ‘Lindsey Burrow really is a ‘superior woman’. A very moving programme and the best of luck to Lindsey, Rob and their wonderful children.’
Another said: ‘What an inspirational lady Lindsey Burrow is, dedicating her life to caring for Rob and raising money for charity.’
Someone else wrote: ‘Just caught up with the Rob Burrow programme earlier. What a very sad situation. Lindsey Burrow, what an incredible human being. Don’t mind admitting that I cried quite a bit.’
The 40-year-old, a father-of-three, is non-verbal and can only eat liquidised food spoon fed to him by his wife.
Rob is also required to sleep downstairs and some nights requires a ventilator to decrease high levels of carbon dioxide in his body.
His determined wife refuses assistance from carers and equipment, instead carrying him around their home and from his wheelchair to the car.
In one scene, Lindsey said: ‘You just want to do what you can, while you can, for as long as you can. He’s my husband, I want to care for him.’
Rob has lost all ability to talk, and retains no voluntary movement control, except with his eyes, which he uses to spell messages on a screen.
Viewers praised Rob Burrow’s wife Lindsey as ‘a true inspiration’ and a ‘superior woman’ after emotional ITV documentary
The mum-of-three cares for husband Rob, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2019, and their heartbreaking journey was highlighted on ITV’s Rob and Lindsey: Living with MND on Thursday evening
Viewers struggled to watch the heartbreaking documentary last night, but were full of praise for the incredible couple.
One Tweeted: ‘Lindsey Burrow is a true inspiration, her dedication to Rob and her family is beautiful to see #LivingwithMND’
Another emotional fan wrote: ‘Just catching up on the documentary. I have nothing but respect for Rob Burrow and his wife.’
While someone else said: ‘Sitting here almost in tears watching ITV’s Tonight programme. I don’t normally watch it but this one’s about Rob Burrow so I had to. MND is an awful disease and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. God bless Lindsay and Kev for what they’re doing to raise awareness.’
Speaking ahead of the documentary Lindsey vowed to continue looking after her beloved husband ‘while I’m physically able’, adding: ‘ I know he’d do the same for me’.
Viewers were left in tears and many took to Twitter to praise Lindsey, who is Rob’s full-time carer
Lindsey told the Mirror: ‘We haven’t really discussed the option of carers. We don’t want stairlifts, hoists and things, for me it can become quite clinical.
‘You just want to do what you can, while you can, for as long as you can. He’s my husband, I want to care for him. You say those vows, in sickness and in health, that’s what you want to do.
‘He’ll often say: “Thank you for looking after me, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you doing these things.” I know how grateful he is.
‘It’s not easy being a carer, but when I look at what Rob has had taken from him I’ve nothing to moan about.’
The couple have been married for 17 years and first met when the former rugby league star was a ‘shy’ 15-year-old.
But their relationship changed forever following Rob’s diagnosis four years ago.
Rob has lost all ability to talk, and retains no voluntary movement control, except with his eyes, which he uses to spell messages on a screen
Lindsey told of how former teammate Kevin Sinfield (left) should be awarded a knighthood for his fundraising efforts
Burrow spent his entire career at Leeds and made 492 appearances and also won 15 caps for England and five for Great Britain. He retired after winning his eighth Super League Grand Final in 2017 and subsequently became the club’s reserve team head coach.
He revealed the MND diagnosis in an emotional statement in December 2019.
Lindsey continues to work as an NHS physiotherapist once a week, a day during which Rob’s parents take on his care, and spends the rest of the time looking after their three children at their home in Castleford, West Yorkshire.
Rob was given two years to live following the diagnosis and now has no voluntary movement control aside from his eyes, which he uses to spell messages on a screen and tell his wife ‘he couldn’t be more proud’.
But Lindsey admits: ‘I don’t think he can really get any worse.’
She also opened up about asking her husband questions around his funeral wishes, with Rob telling her she is ‘still young’ and ‘should find someone else’.
Rob was carried across the finish line at the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon by Sinfield last month after being pushed around the 26-mile course in a wheelchair
And Lindsey told of how former teammate Kevin Sinfield should be awarded a knighthood for his fundraising efforts.
Rob was carried across the finish line at the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon by Sinfield last month after being pushed around the 26-mile course in a wheelchair.
The pair were raising money for motor neurone disease (MND) charities and used a specially-adapted chair to join 12,500 other runners in the first Leeds marathon in 20 years.
Rugby coach Sinfield has raised over £8million for MND charities since friend and former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Burrow was diagnosed with the condition in late 2019.
The 42-year-old also completed his Ultra 7 in 7 Challenge in November when he ran seven back-to-back ultra-marathons, running around 40 miles each day.
WHAT IS MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE?
Motor neurone disease is a rare condition that mainly affects people in their 60s and 70s, but it can affect adults of all ages.
It’s caused by a problem with cells in the brain and nerves called motor neurones. These cells gradually stop working over time. It’s not known why this happens.
Having a close relative with motor neurone disease, or a related condition called frontotemporal dementia, can sometimes mean you’re more likely to get it. But it doesn’t run in families in most cases.
Early symptoms can include weakness in your ankle or leg, like finding it hard to walk upstairs; slurred speech, finding it hard to swallow, a weak grip, and gradual weight loss.
If you have these symptoms, you should see a GP. They will consider other possible conditions and can refer you to a specialist called a neurologist if necessary.
If a close relative has motor neurone disease or frontotemporal dementia and you’re worried you may be at risk of it, they may refer you to a genetic counsellor to talk about your risk and any tests you can have
Source: NHS UK
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