Former Leeds Rhinos player Rob Burrow has opened up about how difficult he finds not being "a normal" dad to his children.
The 40-year-old was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2019, just two years after retiring from his rugby career. He has since lost the ability to walk and has to communicate through a keyboard controlled by his eyes.
Keen to raise awareness of the terminal illness, the dad-of-three has taken part in various campaigns and is also set to release his second documentary about life with MND. The documentary, which airs today, October 18, will show some of the family's most vulnerable and intimate moments and how their love and support is keeping them strong.
Read more: 'I'm a prisoner in my own body' - Rob Burrow's heart-breaking update on his MND battle
Ahead of the documentary airing, Rob appeared on BBC Breakfast this morning to talk about his incredible wife Lindsey, their three kids Macy, Maya and Jackson and his daily fights against the disease. He also revealed what he finds most difficult day-to-day.
In a heartbreaking admission, Rob said: "The worst thing about this disease is not being able to be a normal dad to the kids and kick the ball with Jackson and play with the girls. I hate seeing my Lindsey rush around everywhere and play mum and dad."
He added: "My kids have inspired me to be happy and I love it when they are loving life, it makes you want to never give in. The kids are living their best lives, I love seeing them smile and be so funny."
Both Lindsey and Rob explained that they wanted to give people an insight into life with motor neurone disease, give them hope and also continue to raise awareness. Lindsey said: "It's really tough doing those interviews, but I don't want people to be sad.
"Yes it is a sad story, but there is a lot of hope in there as well, seeing the kids and just how much they love life. If you spin it on its head, the message I hope people will take from it is that life is for living and, despite what life throws at you, you can still have happy times and happy memories despite the heartache and the sadness."
Watch Rob Burrow: Living with MND on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer at 7pm on Tuesday, October 18.
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