Derek Draper, Kate Garraway's husband, has now spent almost a year in hospital fighting Covid-19. Derek was admitted to hospital in March of last year, and ended up in intensive care - where he was put in an induced coma - days later. He is still in intensive care, and has suffered kidney failure, liver damage and pancreas and heart failure. His lengthy time in hospital means Derek is believed to be the UK's longest surviving in-patient.
It will be the subject of a documentary tonight - Kate Garraway: Finding Derek - which will look at Derek's journey throughout the past year. Kate will also meet medical experts, and other people who are suffering with the effects of long Covid. It will also show the emotional moments after Derek wakes from the coma, and how Kate has renovated some of their house so it would be accessible to him if he leaves hospital in a wheelchair.
At first, when Derek became ill, Kate missed time from her presenting stint on GMB, but then she returned when doctors told her she had 'to get on with life'. Throughout the horrific ordeal, Kate has been incredibly resilient, speaking about her story and giving updates on Derek's health. The documentary also comes alongside a book, The Power Of Hope, which will be released next month.
Their story is incredibly important, and she has continued to highlight just how dangerous the disease - which has killed over 126,000 people - can be, and how there can be horrendous long-term side effects. As Dr Johl, clinical psychologist and nationwide therapist,told Grazia previously{
'No documentary has really been able to capture the feelings of worry and helplessness in supporting a loved one through Covid whilst also managing all the other responsibilities that don’t go away,' he continues. 'Kate, however, has done just this. She not only offers realism, she also offers her inner feelings, fears and allows herself to be vulnerable on national tv.'
The public also greatly appreciates Kate's brave honesty, despite how hard it must be to talk about these things on TV while she is still worrying about her husband. 'Kate Garraway, so strong, honest, open,' one user wrote on Twitter. 'Having lost someone close to me due to covid, I have not left the house since. That changes today. Her strength has inspired me to get some fresh air, a walk, something other than sitting inside. Respect to her.'
Kate Garraway: Finding Derek airs on ITV on Tuesday 23 March at 9pm.
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