Burrow gave MND community a voice - ex-rugby pro Slater

Former Gloucester and Leicester fastener Ed Slater said he wants to "thank" Rob Burrow for giving a sound to him and truthful galore different group pinch centrifugal neurone disease.

Rugby convention awesome Burrow died aged 41 connected 2 June, much than 4 years aft being diagnosed pinch MND.

Slater, 35, has been surviving pinch MND, a degenerative information that affects nerves successful nan encephalon and spinal cord, since being diagnosed successful 2022.

"Rob was a typical human, he has near america truthful galore unthinkable stories and that's conscionable his rugby profession alone, really successful he was defying nan odds, nan size of nan tone he had," Slater told BBC Breakfast.

"Then you move connected to his life pinch MND, his devotion to Lindsey [Burrow's wife] and nan kids and past of people starring truthful galore of america retired of nan acheronian by sparkling a ray connected MND.

"That's why erstwhile I heard Rob had passed distant nan first words I could deliberation of were 'thank you'.

"So galore group now person that sound including myself and that's a existent gift he's been capable to springiness nan MND community."

Slater and Burrow are among a number of high-profile sportspeople who person campaigned and raised monolithic consciousness of MND aft being diagnosed.

Former Scotland rugby national fastener Doddie Weir, who died successful November 2022, and ex-footballers Stephen Darby and Len Johnrose are among those to person brought nan information into nan wider consciousness.

Slater made 78 appearances for Gloucester aft joining nan Cherry and Whites successful 2017 and was still playing for them erstwhile he first began to acquisition symptoms.

He antecedently captained Leicester and won nan Premiership title location successful 2012-13 during a seven-year spell pinch nan club.

The 2 sides now title nan Slater Cup whenever they play each different successful nan Premiership.

Slater says he knowledgeable "difficulties" pinch losing his mobility and reside but was fixed proposal from Burrow which helped.

"That brought connected a batch of fearfulness and I said to Rob astir that and he explained that though he understands, nan truth that Lindsey and nan kids are astir him each time he said he’s ne'er been much comfortable," Slater said.

"What he was saying to maine was if you person your family that's OK, it mightiness not beryllium really you want it to beryllium but spot nan beauty successful that.

"That's what I attraction my mind connected erstwhile I person those difficult thoughts."

Slater - pinch support from his wife, Jo, pinch whom he has 3 children - began adapting his life soon aft his test and recorded his voice, pinch MND known to impact speech.

He besides has an oculus regard strategy that uses his voice, to alteration him to pass utilizing oculus movements, arsenic Burrow did.

"It won't beryllium agelong earlier I person to usage it regularly - that’s going to beryllium essential," Slater said.

"Being capable to talk to nan kids will beryllium truthful important - if Frank wants to talk astir Charlton [Athletic - nan nine Slater supports], aliases Edie astir creation aliases Flo astir playing successful goal.

"The smallest things are nan biggest things it will springiness maine an opportunity to transportation on.

"Those conversations are truthful important keeping maine connected, albeit I won't beryllium physically - that will help."

Slater said Burrow's bequest successful rugby and nan floor plan he has put connected MND will "continue pinch us".

"The much we spot really shocking life is pinch MND... knowing [there is] nary curen and nary cure adds to that connection arsenic good because it's truthful cruel," he said.

"If we proceed to do that pinch awesome group and nan astonishing organization pinch MND I dream we will make large steps successful trying to find curen and a cure."