“Rob and I were both from working-class families, and although rugby paid a good salary, we always knew that it would be a short career. I always worked, even when we had children. Having gone through university and earned a degree in physiotherapy, I was career-driven and independent – I didn’t want to be dependent on Rob to pay for everything.

“I was so fortunate that I was able to continue to work even after Rob’s diagnosis. I had the support of my employer to work from home for much of the time, so I could care for Rob as well as keep my job. And I had the support of Rob’s family, who helped look after Rob on the days that I physically went to work, as well as my family, who helped with the children.

“Going into work gave me a bit of ‘me time’ as people there knew me as a physiotherapist rather than as a mum or a carer. It gave me normality and it’s continued to do that since losing Rob. I really value being able to lose myself in my work and the connection with colleagues.”

“I was a wreck when I lost my husband to motor neurone disease – these are the 8 lessons that caring and grief have taught me”