Kate Garraway and her husband

I think to say KG is milking it is unpleasant and nasty. She is in a very sad situation, and I am glad she is keeping long covid in the public eye as it causes terrible suffering.

Thank you JaneJudge.
Gwyneth's comment about the upsetting photos of Derek's suffering being out there for everyone to see was kind of what I meant in my comparison with Michael Schuhmacher who is probably in an even worse state. The pictures in our minds of the latter, however, are all of MS being fit, healthy and happy because these are the photos the family have chosen to put out over the past 8 years or so. Kate has chosen to concentrate on her Derek's poorly condition and prognosis and that is entirely her business.
Many people want to keep quiet about their illness like Freddie Mercury, Victoria Wood etc because they want to protect the privacy of those around them or because they want to be remembered in a happy way, not suffering. Everyone is different.
I really hadn't intended the money side of things to have anything to do with my post about Schuhmacher, although I can see the issue raised.

Apparently there is a netflix documentary about the Schumachers coming out this week. there is an article about it here

I always felt uneasy about the photographs in the press showing her husband when he was ill in bed. I know I wouldn’t want the World to see photos of me in the same situation. What about his dignity and privacy? I’ve no idea whether he was able to give consent or not.

i believe that she , kate has inspired him, derek, to keep going, when at time he'd felt like just giving up.
the love between them, and their children, is obvious.
she knows him better than anyone.
she loves him better than anyone.
and their struggle may inspire others to keep going.

An admirable family. If they inspire just one family to keep going they've done a good job.
Role models come in all shapes & sizes - and goodness knows how many in the next few years will be dealing with similar circumstances.

Kate Garraway is dealing with her situation in a way that is right for her. She is a high profile woman and and is in a position to use the media to raise awareness of Covid and the profound damage it can do. Many people fortunate enough to be in her position would do the same. I will not buy or read the book but hope Derek has a good recovery and I wish Kate well.

I admire Kate for what she has done and how she's kept it all together. I think it's great that she's using her celebrity status to keep long Covid in the spotlight. She'll fight for Derek to the bitter end and for that she should be applauded not villified.

*Michael Schumacher's wife, had plenty of money behind her and did not have to earn enough money to pay for Michael's care.

I am sure KH would have exactly the same 'dignity' if she could afford it.

I think a large part of it will be financial. She will have to shoulder the burden of what I assume is a fairly expensive lifestyle. And is now much more so, with the level of care he needs. They have children that are probably at private schools and will therefore expect good university funding by their parents.

I don't begrudge her a penny. I read occasionally about him and each time, hope there will be better news.

Schumacher and family are multi millionaires. They don't need to hustle.

Theworriedwell you ve no idea what he can or can’t understand nor have I, but I bet his wife has a much clearer idea than either of us, so let’s presume she knows him better than us eh
Not for us to judge is it?

I think enough is enough. She’s made her point.

Michael Schumacher wife has shown far more dignity.

Sorry, thinking she believes not he.

the worried well I don’t think you read what she said? She believes he understands, that’s not the same as thinking he believes. I do wonder if you watched the programme or just shoot from the hip.

Would you want to watch a programme about all the rigmarole of ensuring someone's ability to consent?
It's a process, I'm sure you know.

Another nasty post, have you watched the documentary, heard her or their children speak?

Yes I've heard her speak, no issue with that. My issue is a man who is in no position to give informed consent to being filmed and that being broadcast. He has a right to privacy and dignity.

Sorry I've worked in a managerial role in care for many years, the absolute fundamental thing is to remember that the patient has a right to privacy and to have their dignity respected. I don't see that.

I would imagine gaining the ability to communicate is a huge part of his road to recovery.
It will have been worked on just as much as his physical impairments.

Galaxy

Yes I actually think there is a conversation to be had about consent, but that's certainly not what the OP was about, they were basically about being sick of hearing about the story and 'milking it' which is a different thing entirely.

Yes you are right but these threads always move on don't they.

BlueBelle

None of us know what communication he can or can’t make maybe he can nod or blink or something that she’s learnt to understand we just don’t know Perhaps she tells him exactly what she’s going to do and he squeezers her hand
It’s a sad sad story but she strikes me as a sensible woman who would have her whole family involved in decisions

She says herself she "Thinks" he understands. She doesn't know and there is no way anyone on here knows.

Casdon

Kate said two days ago:
‘He still has very little movement, still can't talk really but he does seem to, I believe and I think others believe now, understands everything.’
She will have spoken to him about what she is doing. I believe what she says, I think he he knows and agrees.

How does he agree. She is saying she thinks he understands what she is saying and he can't really talk so how is he giving consent. She isn't even sure he understands what she is saying.

She isn't sure if he understands so not sure how you can make that judgement.

None of us know what communication he can or can’t make maybe he can nod or blink or something that she’s learnt to understand we just don’t know Perhaps she tells him exactly what she’s going to do and he squeezers her hand
It’s a sad sad story but she strikes me as a sensible woman who would have her whole family involved in decisions

MissAdventure

I dont see Derek as a freak.
He is someone devastated by a virus we are apparently all going to catch.
He is a dad, husband, but never a freak.

I didn't say he was a freak, actually I don't think the people in the Victorian freak shows were freaks either, but people did pay to gawp at them. Haven't we moved on?

Anniebach

NHS care would mean putting her husband in a nursing home,

She and their children have around the clock access to him, possibly he hears their voices, she can lay by his side when she wants to, possibly he can feel her body next to him.

This couldn’t happen in a nursing home.

It wouldn't necessarily mean a nursing home. My son has a friend who was paralysed from the neck down in an accident. He has 24/7 care in his own home.

M0nica

theworriedwell lets hope you are never in the position of being the sole wage earner and needing to pay for the care for a severely disabled person, support two children and your career is in an industry where the best way of doing these things is to talk about the problems your family are going through.

Need drives many people to do things they would otherwise not contemplate.

I've been the wage earner and carer for my husband for 30 years thanks. I had 4 children though, the youngest was 10 days old when we got the diagnosis.