Good Morning Britain’s Kate Garraway has revealed there are days when her Covid-stricken husband Derek Draper “can’t do anything”, but adds that she “fell in love with him again” when she almost found him three Watched for years fighting the disease.
Kate has been caring for Derek, both 55, since he became unwell with Long Covid in 2020 after becoming critically ill with the virus early in the pandemic.
Derek was fighting for his life after contracting the virus in March 2020.
He was taken to the hospital by ambulance, where he was put on a ventilator and placed in an induced coma.
He became the longest-suffering coronavirus patient in the UK after spending 13 months in hospital apart from Kate and their two children, Darcey, 16, and Billy, 13.
Care: Kate Garraway revealed there are days when her Covid-stricken husband Derek Draper ‘can’t do anything’, but adds that she ‘fell in love with him again’ when she had him for almost three years at the fight against the disease observed
Staying strong: Kate has been caring for Derek, both 55, since he became unwell with Long Covid in 2020 after falling critically ill with the virus early in the pandemic
Due to the severity of his illness and long hospital stays, he remains unable to walk and has developed debilitating symptoms.
Last summer, Derek contracted sepsis and was hospitalized again, where the serious condition nearly killed him.
Speaking about his current condition and caring for him, she told The Sun: “There are days when he literally can’t do anything and it’s like the computer is off. He can’t move and is in so much pain as we manipulate him and try to make him more flexible so he doesn’t regress.’
The presenter noted that despite Derek’s insistence they move on, she says it’s “excruciating” to see him in pain and admits it makes her “emotional” just to talk about it.
However, she added: “It also makes me fall in love with him over and over again because of that spirit, that determination to keep going. Derek is trapped, but he keeps fighting. We cling to the good days.’
Reflecting on the ups and downs of caring for her husband, Kate noted that every day is a “roller coaster ride” as Derek’s mind “waves.”
The journalist added that it was “heartbreaking” to see her 18-year-old husband unable to move with tears streaming down his face, noting that she “can’t imagine” how difficult it is for her , as “hard” it was for her Derek.
Meanwhile, Kate addressed the astronomical costs of Derek’s care, adding that it is self-funded and insisting they had not received “special treatment” from the NHS or “bypassed waiting lists” because of their celebrity status.
Battle: “There are days when he literally can’t do anything and it’s like the computer is off. He can’t move and is in so much pain as we manipulate him and try to make him more flexible so he doesn’t regress.
Love: However, she added, ‘It also makes me fall in love with him over and over again because of that spirit, that determination to keep going. Derek is trapped, but he keeps fighting
She said: “Of course it was difficult financially. As anyone with a loved one who is seriously ill knows, the costs go through the roof in many ways. You need to make changes to your home and it affects your ability to work. When Derek first fell ill I had to take a long time off and of course that affects the overall family income as he is no longer able to work.’
She went on to say that she had to shut down the business she and Derek had together while hiring assistants to look after Derek while she did her television work.
Though adamant, Kate insisted they had received ‘wonderful treatment’ from the NHS but they had to fund another ‘grueling’ trip to Mexico to continue Derek’s treatment – with the trip being supported by ‘friends, colleagues and employers’ was supported.
As well as the trip, the Smooth Radio presenter had to spend “tens of thousands of pounds” to convert the family’s London home for Derek, which involved installing ramps, a downstairs wet room and a makeshift downstairs bedroom.
It comes after Kate shared a message of hope last month after revealing she’s had a difficult two days.
Emotional: The journalist added that it was “heartbreaking” to see her 18-year-old husband unable to move with tears streaming down his face, noting that she “can’t imagine” how tough it was , as “hard” as it is for Derek
Taking to Instagram, the Good Morning Britain presenter admitted her spirits had finally lifted after feeling like she was “walking on ice uphill” since Sunday.
Kate is caring for husband Derek, who has been ill with COVID since 2020 after becoming seriously ill with the virus at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
In her new post, the presenter snapped a photo of a yellow crocus blooming in her garden and shared her positivity after a difficult 48 hours.
She wrote: “This is why I love the outdoors and gardening so much – after 48 hours of feeling like I was trudging up a hill on ice, my first crocus pops open – the spirit of life and hope in a beautiful one yellow shape!”
She added to her message of hope: ‘@smoothradio #lovenature #hope #love’.
Cost: Addressing the astronomical cost of Derek’s care, Kate added that it is self-funded and insisted they had not received ‘special treatment’ from the NHS or ‘bypassed waiting lists’ because of their celebrity status
Candid: Of course it was difficult financially. As anyone with a loved one who is seriously ill knows, the costs go through the roof in many ways. You need to make changes to your home and it affects your ability to work
It comes after Kate shared a rare snap of Derek with one of his carers last month.
On Instagram, she posted a tribute to Jake and encouraged her followers to support his music, revealing that he released a song called okukuseku.
Derek has been unwell with COVID since 2020 and Jake took care of him when he first came out of the hospital.
In the blink of an eye, the caretaker held his hand tight as he looked down at him and grinned.
Kate captioned her post: “Many of you will remember Jake caring for Derek when he first came out of hospital on April 21st – from the documentary #caringforderek so you’ll know what a wonderful doctor he is.
She continued: “But I just found out he’s also a great musician – under the name @sencymiller.x – he just released a song called okuseku (check it out in his bio) – which no surprise is full of love and inspiration is walking & never giving up.
Carer: It came after Kate shared a rare snap of Derek with his carer Jake on Friday, encouraging her followers to support him and his music
Illness: Derek has been unwell with COVID since 2020 and Jake took care of him when he first came out of the hospital (Derek is pictured with Kate in 2019)
“The world of nurses never ceases to amaze me with their talent, care and motivation #happyfriday all!”
Kate was stunned in January when she confronted former Health Secretary Matt Hancock about his handling of the pandemic and his decision to make “I’m a celebrity… get me out of here.”
Derek was fighting for his life after contracting the coronavirus in March 2020. After spending 13 months in hospital, he became the longest-suffering coronavirus patient in the UK and remains very ill.
His wife as a broadcaster blinked back tears as she told Mr Hancock that millions of Britons still feel “very raw” about the pandemic and the repeated lockdown, explaining: “By the time it mattered, I could Derek did not visit the hospital, he could not see his children.
“Thousands of other people couldn’t see people they loved because they followed the guidelines. The rules were very messed up for us out here.’
Mr Hancock was eventually forced to resign in June 2021 when he was caught flouting his own social distancing guidelines by kissing Gina Coladangelo – who he was hiring with taxpayer money.
Describing the public anger towards him, Kate added of his decision to appear on I’m a Celebrity: “It gives the impression that you still don’t understand why they are angry. You still don’t understand why people get upset. They want to hold you more accountable.’ Mr Hancock replied: ‘I understand all that. I really do. I really feel it.”
Tears: Kate was blown away in January when she confronted former Health Secretary Matt Hancock about his handling of the pandemic and his decision to move on. I’m a celebrity… Get me out of here
He defended his affair, saying: “I’m only human. We all have our weaknesses and I fell in love,” he added, “But that’s not an excuse and that’s why I’ve been open about it. That’s why I asked for forgiveness.’ He repeatedly denied breaking the law.
Ms Garraway asked him if he understood the anger people felt towards him, particularly those who have been separated from loved ones who have been in hospital.
She then got teary and looked up as she talked about Derek being unwell for almost three years.
“I suppose the problem is that you were the Minister of Health. Thousands of children haven’t been able to see people they loved,” she said of the lengthy restrictions on visiting in the NHS under his leadership.