Rob Burrow’s courage shown in emotional TV documentary about life with MND

ROB Burrow insists he will not give up ‘until my last breath’ in his quest to raise awareness of motor neurone disease.

The Leeds Rhinos legend is living with the condition, of which there is – at the moment – no cure.

4

Rob Burrow’s determination as he lives with motor neurone disease is shown in an emotional TV documentaryCredit: BBC

It is robbing him of his ability to speak as he communicates mainly by text or via a voice app on his phone after using a voice banking service.

But never has the saying ‘It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog’ been more apt than when it comes to the 5ft 5ins inspiration.

For he is still trying to raise awareness of the condition and an emotional TV documentary shows just how the 38-year-old star, his family, friends and former team-mates are leading that fight.

In Rob Burrow: My Year With MND, he says: “I’m still transitioning from not being diagnosed to finding out and coming to terms with having a disease where there’s no cure.

4

Leeds Rhinos legend Burrow was diagnosed with the condition last yearCredit: BBC

“I’ve too many reasons to live. I’m not giving in until my last breath.

“My mind is so strong and positive. I’m determined to beat this disease and it starts with having a strong mindset.”

The BBC documentary shows just how determined Burrow is when at an appointment at Leeds’ Seacroft Hospital, he shakes his head when asked about having a feeding tube inserted.

Lindsey says: “I think Rob sees it as a way of giving in.”

4

Burrow’s courage is highlighted in the documentaryCredit: BBC

She adds of the time he was diagnosed: “They just said, ‘It’s not good news. We’re sorry to tell you that…’ Then you ask the question of how long?

“One of the first things Rob said to me was, ‘Thank God it’s me and not the kids.’ That’s all he was bothered about.”

Former Leeds team-mates Kevin Sinfield and Barrie McDermott tell emotionally about Burrow’s diagnosis and battle since the news last December.

Burrow is one of a number of sportsmen recently diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Scottish rugby union ace Doddie Weir and footballer Stephen Darby work with him.

4

Messages of support flooded in for Rob Burrow after his MND diagnosisCredit: Rex Features

After Leeds reached Saturday’s Challenge Cup final against Salford at Wembley, the call was for the scrum-half – who won eight Super League titles, two Challenge Cups and three World Club Challenges with them – to lead them out.

The Rugby Football League offered but he decided to watch the occasion at home with Lindsey and children Macy, Maya and Jackson.

His mother Irene admits that at first she blamed rugby for it but now accepts: “You just have to put it down to being bad luck.”

And father Geoff says: “We’ve got to get the message out and get the Government and everybody to just pay more attention to this.”

ROB Burrow: My Year with MND is on BBC Two at 7pm tonight and is repeated on Saturday on BBC One at 1.15pm, ahead of the Challenge Cup final. To find out more about motor neurone disease, log on to www.mndassociation.org.

NICK N MIX Rugby league star shamed for stealing a lollipop from a kid in mis-judged prank

Exclusive

BAN-DAN-A Dan Sarginson hopes to leave Warrington ‘gutted’ – like he was at semi-final ban

Exclusive

GOOSED Warrington CEO Karl Fitzpatrick on Salford ahead of semi-final – goose s*** included

LAM-CE TODD Wigan boss Adrian Lam reveals his role in winning 2002’s ‘Radlinski Final’

TAYL OF THE TAPE Scott Taylor tells Hull FC’s players to start living up to the hype

CANADA WHY? Robert Elstone wants proof it is worth having a Super League team in Canada