Rob Burrow's wife Lindsey explains the struggle of caring for her husband with ALS while caring for their three children and working as an NHS physiotherapist

Entertainment

Lindsey Burrow has revealed the “emotional and physical” strain of caring for her husband, Rob Burrow, whose life has been devastated by motor neurone disease.

Since former Leeds rugby star Rhino was diagnosed with the incurable and life-limiting condition in 2019, Lindsey has acted as his carer, while simultaneously caring for their three children and continuing to work for the NHS as a physiotherapist.

'Being a caregiver is tough and comes with enormous emotional and physical challenges. “I think a lot of caregivers you talk to will say you're losing friends,” she said.

The 40-year-old is not alone in her struggle. In tonight's ITV documentary, Lindsey Burrow: Who Cares for Our Carers?, she examines the impact on unpaid carers in England and Wales who provide care worth an estimated £162 billion a year. years, the equivalent of a second NHS.

Lindsey Burrow (pictured) talks about her experiences as an unpaid caregiver for her husband Rob Burrow

“I've been an unpaid caregiver for almost five years,” Lindsey said.

'My husband Rob was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in December 2019. Since then I have balanced caring for Rob with caring for our three young children and continue to work for the NHS as a physiotherapist.

'But although I'm proud to be able to do that, it has had a huge impact on my life.'

The couple shares three children together: Macy, 11, Maya, eight, and Jackson, four.

Rob, who was diagnosed in December 2019 when doctors warned he may have only two years to live, is unable to feed, dress or go to the toilet on his own.

In addition to her hectic schedule, Lindsey ran the Leeds Marathon last year, which Rob founded with his best friend and former teammate, rugby union coach Kevin Sinfield, to raise awareness of motor neurone disease.

Last month, the Prince of Wales, 41, awarded Rob and Kevin a CBE for their efforts to raise awareness of motor neuron disease.

In her mission to uncover the hidden demands unpaid caregivers face in their daily lives, Lindsey visited Dame Arlene Phillips, 80.

Arlene cared for her future father, Abraham Phillips, for 12 years while he suffered from Alzheimer's disease, which eventually meant he could no longer recognize Arlene.

At the time, Arlene was juggling her father's needs with her West End job on Starlight Express and raising her two daughters.

“I didn't feel supported at all,” Arlene said. 'I try not to think of myself as stupid, but I have become one of the bewildered.

“What I became was a wreck, an angry wreck.”

Arlene stressed that those taking on unpaid caring responsibilities must learn on the job, saying: 'Where is caring training? People are just going to do it.”

Former Leeds Rhino rugby star (pictured left) is now unable to eat, go to the toilet or dress himself

Dame Arlene Phillips (pictured) appeared on the show to discuss her experiences caring for her late father

The 80-year-old told Lindsey she was juggling her job on the West End with raising her two daughters and caring for her father.

Arlene's father Abraham Phillips (pictured) suffered from Alzheimer's disease and could no longer recognize his daughter's face

She added: “Where does all this information come from? It's like a mysterious world that you enter, and what you discover is that your world has been turned upside down.'

WHAT IS MOTOR NEURON DISEASE?

Motor neurone disease is a rare condition that mainly affects people between the ages of 60 and 70, but can also affect adults of all ages.

It is caused by a problem with cells in the brain and nerves called motor neurons. These cells gradually stop working. It is not known why this happens.

If you have a close relative with motor neurone disease, or a related condition called frontotemporal dementia, this can sometimes mean you are more likely to develop this condition. But in most cases it does not run in families.

Early symptoms may include weakness in your ankle or leg, such as finding it difficult to walk upstairs; slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, a weak grip and gradual weight loss.

If you have these symptoms, you should see a doctor.

Source: NHS Great Britain

Elsewhere in the show, Lindsey met Chrissie, whose 17-year-old son Alex was born with a rare genetic condition and requires a lot of care.

Chrissie revealed that services in her region were cut and never recovered from austerity policies.

Previously, she took Alex once a week to a day center for disabled children, the Belvidere Center, where she gave herself a break.

Now due to budget cuts, Alex can only enjoy the center once a month, meaning Chrissie struggles to find time for herself.

Lindsey also chatted with Iqbal, a caregiver for both his elderly mother and her husband, who had recently suffered a life-changing stroke.

The mother-of-three traveled to Touchstone, a carer support group for black, Asian and minority ethnic people in West Yorkshire, where carers can talk about the additional barriers BAME carers can face.

In line with the documentary, ITV surveyed 2,000 people in the UK and found that 72 percent of participants said unpaid carers in Britain are undervalued, while 66 percent said the government is 'doing a poor job'. ' in supporting unpaid informal caregivers.

A government spokesperson said: 'Unpaid caregivers play a vital role in the lives of their families and friends. That's why we've increased the carer's allowance by almost £1,200 since 2010. Carers may also be eligible for financial support through Universal Credit, including up to up to £2,200 extra towards their caring responsibilities.

'Local authorities are responsible for assessing unpaid carers in their area who need support and we have earmarked £327 million this year through our Better Care Fund to provide carers with advice, support, short breaks and respite services.'

Lindsey Burrow: Who takes care of our caregivers? – Tonight, ITV1 8.30pm and ITVX