Kate Garraway Opens Up About Husband’s Care Costs
Kate Garraway recently shared her feelings of shame regarding the care bills for her late husband, Derek Draper, which have left her in debt. The Good Morning Britain star revealed that she was spending £16,000 a month on care for her husband before his passing in January at the age of 56 after battling the long-term effects of Covid.
The Financial Strain
Garraway mentioned that the cost of basic care for Draper exceeded her salary and did not include expenses for his therapies, mortgage payments, or other household costs. She expressed her shame at being in debt despite having a well-paid job that she loves.
“I am ashamed of the fact I’m in debt. I have an incredible job that I love that’s very well paid,” she said during an interview on ITV’s GMB.
Derek’s Story Revealed
The final year of Draper’s life is documented in a new program where he speaks on camera for the first time, sharing his story. The documentary captures moments of their daily life, including scenes of him undergoing mobility therapy and expressing feelings of failure and burden.
Care Challenges
Garraway also highlighted the challenges faced by carers, questioning Education Secretary Gillian Keegan on the government’s support for carers. She emphasized the struggles of navigating the system and feeling like one is always losing.
“When you come out of hospital, you are on your own. And you can fight and fight and fight but the system somehow makes you feel like you’re always losing. Why is that?” Garraway asked.
Navigating Love and Care
The documentary delves into how Draper’s health struggles and Garraway’s role as his carer impacted their relationship. Garraway shared her journey of accepting her future as a carer and navigating how it affects their bond.
“Sometimes you show love with a big bunch of flowers, sometimes it’s bringing a cup of tea at the right moment, and he can’t do any of those things for me,” she explained. “So he’s trying to work out how to love me – I know he loves me but how does he show that? And I’m trying to work out if I feel loved by him.”