Rob Burrow has described himself as a “prisoner in my own body” in a heartbreaking documentary set to be shown next week.
The half-hour film, which airs on BBC Two on Tuesday, December 18, at 7pm, is an access-all-areas look at life with motor neurone disease.
It follows Burrow, his wife Lindsey and the couple’s children as well as Burrow’s parents, who have to look after their 40-year-old son round the clock while his wife is at work.
Of his condition, Burrow said: “I’m a prisoner in my own body. The lights are on but no one’s home. I think like you but my mind doesn’t work right. I can’t move my body.”
The former Leeds Rhino was diagnosed with MND, for which there is no cure, back in 2019 two years after retiring from the game.
He opens up on the difficulty of seeing his wife care for him and their children, as well as his parents’ involvement.
“I know when you get married you say in sickness and health,” he said. “I did not think she signed up to look after me so soon. And I need my parents for everything, it’s like I’m their kid again.”
In the documentary, he also encourages her to find another partner but her response is,” I can’t imagine a world without Rob. He always says, ‘find somebody else, you’re still young’. There will never be anyone else. No one can ever take Rob’s place.”
