Former NFL star Chris Johnson recently revealed that he has ALS after being diagnosed last May.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Since then, his wife, Brittany, has stepped forward as his caregiver and emotional support. Speaking with People, she explained how their lives have changed.
"My life has changed immensely as a caregiver," she said. "It's nonstop, but I wouldn't rather it be anyone else taking care of Chris. I truly believe that this was my calling."
As Johnson's ALS has progressed, he now uses a CPAP machine for breathing support. He also needs help being fed and changed and relies on a speech device to communicate.
"ALS has taken away a lot of my independence," Johnson said. "As a father, your first instinct is to protect your kids. You don't want them to be scared or feel like their whole world is changing."
NFL Star Battles ALS
Brittany has continued to stand by Chris's side through his illness.
"Life has changed for all of us, not just me or Chris. My heart is constantly just being pulled for the kids because their life has changed in a way that no kid should have to experience," she said. "To have Dad still be there, but not in a physical way. [Chris was] so hands-on, like outside doing exercises with them, doing sports, and getting on the ground with Honey and throwing her on his shoulders. It's not [like] that anymore."
"Sometimes we feel like we're prisoners in our home because it just takes so much just to get out of the house, but we try to get out," Brittany added. "We try to enjoy the little moments. But again, it is nonstop trying to make sure all of [Chris'] needs are met and that he's comfortable. It's tough."
The couple is now trying to raise awareness of ALS and the need for more effective treatments.
"There's literally no treatments out there. We're on several different trials, but of course none of them have worked in the way that we had expected," Brittany said. "So we just need all hands on deck. We need so many eyes on this so other families don't have to endure what we have."
