Rob Burrow's wife, Lindsey, was reduced to tears after her husband told her to find someone else after he dies.
The Leeds Rhinos legend and father of three was first diagnosed with motor neurone disease back in 2019, and has been campaigning for research funding ever since.
Rob has been joined in his battle for change by the likes of British and Irish Lions and Scotland international Doddie Weir and former Liverpool footballer Stephen Darby, who have both been diagnosed with the condition.
Read more: World Cup ball to be named in memory of Welsh rugby legend as beautiful gesture made
In a Mirror exclusive, Lindsey explained that no one can replace her husband, despite his suggestions to do otherwise.
"He always says: 'Find someone else, you’re still young'," she explained. "There will never be anybody else. No one can ever take Rob’s place. It’s a cliché, isn’t it – love at first sight – but I think that’s true."
NHS physiotherapist Lindsey takes incredible care of Rob. She carries him to his wheelchair, works with him on his physio in a swimming pool and helps him up the stairs to bed. While Rob, 40, can no longer walk or talk and has to communicate through a keyboard controlled by his eyes, the couple still manage to smile, laugh and share banter.
Rob said: “I could not ask for a better help than my beautiful wife Lindsey. I know when you get married you say that you will be there in sickness and in health. I did not think she signed up to look after me so soon. She is my very own superhero and I could not be alive without her help with everything. I love her so much.”
Lindsey says: “I’m so lucky to be Rob’s wife, despite the situation that we are in. Would I change things? Of course I would. But we can’t, so we just have to make the best of it and enjoy every moment that we have together. But it’s devastating, it’s heartbreaking.”
Rob explained that he refuses to talk about end-of-life, as he's got so many reasons to live. “My kids have inspired me to be happy and I love it when they are loving life," he said. "It makes you never want to give in. I love seeing them smile and being so funny.”
Rob is one of rugby league’s greats, having won eight Super League grand finals with Leeds Rhinos and 20 international caps.
A new BBC documentary about Rob's journey with MND will air on Tuesday, October 18. It is called 'Rob Burrow: Living With MND'.
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