'Inspirational' Steve is council MND champion

DAD HELPING AUTHORITY TO SHAPE SERVICES FOR OTHERS

- ALISON STEPHENSON

A PLYMOUTH resident has been given the title of Plymouth City Council Champion for people living with motor neurone disease (MND).

Father-of-two Steven Wharton, from St Budeaux, lost his ability to walk and talk 18 months after being diagnosed three years ago, but is now pioneering how the city council provides access to democratic services for people who are housebound.

Councillors were reduced to tears by Steven’s story after watching a video about his life with MND at their full council meeting this week, before he joined them remotely from the bed to which he is confined.

MND is a rapidly progressive disease that affects the brain and nerves and causes weakness of the muscles, making walking, breathing, speaking and swallowing more difficult. Steven communicates by moving a mouse around with his eyes and selecting letters to build words and phrases which are then turned into speech. He tastes using a special liquid which creates a foam that dissolves on his tongue without the need for swallowing.