Rob Burrow, the former rugby league player for the Leeds Rhinos, shares his battle with motor neuron disease (MND) in his documentary "My Year with MND." He allowed cameras to follow his story since he was diagnosed in December 2019.
"First it comes for your voice," Burrow struggled to say. "Then, it takes your legs." The 30-minute documentary takes viewers on a very emotional journey, and the rapid transformation Burrow went through as his condition rapidly grew worse.
"It tries to rob you of your breath, but it can't sap your spirit," Burrow says with a smile. Despite the illness drastically affecting the rugby player physically and neurologically, he still does what he can to be a good father and husband. Burrow refuses to let the illness break him as he has "too many reasons to live."
What is Motor Neuron Disease?
MND is also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In the UK, around 5,000 adults are diagnosed with MND.
The motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord progressively degenerate over time. As the neurons break down, those diagnosed with the illness have a harder time controlling their muscles. Eventually, the muscles stop receiving brain signals and stop moving.
There is no cure, only prescribed medication to control involuntary muscle movement, cramps, and excess saliva. Therapy can help slow progression in the form of supportive devices and physical therapy.
Around 30% of people diagnosed with MND die within one year of diagnosis. 50% of MND patients only have about two years to live after diagnosis.
The exact cause of the disease is unknown, and it is not contagious. Around 10% of cases are associated with inherited genetic mutations. Early symptoms include slurred speech, weakened limbs, weight loss, and lack of control over crying or laughing.
As the condition progresses, swallowing and breathing get more difficult. Eventually, people with MND are fed via feeding tubes.
French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot first identified the disease in the 1860s. It later became commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease when the famous baseball player, Henry Louis Gehrig from the New York Yankees, was diagnosed with the illness in 1939.
Gehrig was 36 years old when he was diagnosed and died two years later. Stephen Hawking is also known for having ALS and was paralyzed for several decades.
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Raising Support and Awareness
Burrow's documentary shows the support of his entire team, his wife Lindsey, and his parents. Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield continues to be by his team mate's side as the film aims to spread awareness of MND.
Sinfield shared that the entire ruby community is supporting Burrow, who said, "what about the postman, the bricklayer, or the bloke who works in a factory; works five days a week and doesn't have that network or support?" Burrow's community started through the documentary to raise awareness and fundraise for those who don't have the same support and network that the former ruby player has.
Check out more news and information on Neurodegenerative Diseases in Science Times.
