THREE years ago, Steve Wharton's life changed.
What started as a limp in his left leg resulted in a devastating diagnosis, just after the birth of his second child. In 2020, Steve was told he had Motor Neurone Disease.
It took nine months to get a diagnosis, but within 18 months he had lost all mobility. Now Steve is confined to his bed and uses a communication aid to speak to those around him but he is not giving up.
"I can be the man I want to be," Steve tells me during a phone call, using an eye-gaze device to type the words into a machine, which then speaks for him. "I will be the poster boy for MND."
Steve, a dad-of-two, was living a completely normal life. A huge Manchester United fan, he loved to socialise with his mates, watch the football, and live every day to the full. Now he has 24/7 care, and hopes to one day leave his house again. He now lives in St Budeaux with his parents, and hopes his determination and bravery will inspire others with the same, rare condition to 'never give up!
His carer, who asked to be anonymous, said: "Steve's ultimate goal is to get outside again; he hasn't been out in more than a year as he declined quite a lot. He wants to get out and pick up his kids from school. This will involve getting a wheelchair; we're currently in the process of getting his old one back.
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