A dad's whole life changed in a second when he woke to be told he had a degenerative condition after noticing he was developing a limp.
Steve Wharton was given the devastating blow in 2020 that the weakness in his left leg was in fact the early onset of motor neurone disease (MND).
He had begun to notice the limp nine months earlier, but 18 months after being given the news, the condition progressed rapidly leaving him unable speak without a machine and confined to his bed.
But despite the devastating illness, the 36-year-old dad of two has vowed to be the "poster boy for MND".
A huge Manchester United fan, Steve is also hoping that, at some point, he will get the chance for a video call with his heroes.
His "ultimate goal" however is to soon be able to pick up children Lucy, six, and three-year-old Callum, from school as he is currently being cared for round the clock at his parents' home in St Budeaux, Plymouth.
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 are currently in the process of getting his old one back.
"He is so courageous. To go through what he has gone through as such a young man, it is a lot. It’s just a lot for him to keep going but he is an inspiration."
"If people think they are having a bad day, well Steve’s day-to-day just knocks this out of the park,” the carer told Plymouth Live.
Steve was 33 and his son, Callum, now aged three, had only just been born, when he got the news.
Not long afterward, Steve contracted pneumonia and had to have a tracheostomy, spending nine weeks in hospital.
MND is a condition affecting the brain and nervous system which causes the body to get weaker over time and impacts movement and speech.
Its causes are unknown, but it can significantly shorten life expectancy.
It come as former Rugby League star Rob Burrow and pal Kevin Sinfield have together helped raise the profile for people living with MND, after the inspiring sportsman was recently able to complete a marathon in Leeds.
The ex-Leeds Rhinos player was seen crossing the finish line pushed by Mr Sinfield in an inspiring moment which captured the hearts of the nation.
"MND is difficult to live with," Mr Wharton continued.
"I've had times I wanted to give up. I just snapped out of it. I think it's important to try and have a positive attitude."
Faye Arnold, head of audit, speech and language therapy and Livewell Southwest, helped set Mr Wharton up with the communication technology needed to speak as he underwent a tracheotomy.
Like the machine used famously by Sir Stephen Hawkins, Mr Wharton can communicate through eye gaze movements which are converted into speech.
He said: "The eye gaze is essential for me, I can talk to my mates, do shopping, control my TV and tell people off when they annoy me."
Ms Arnold said: "He was really down when I first met him but he has really picked himself up and has a positive mindset. He has come on leaps and bounds. To see how far he has come is a real credit to him."
She added: “The biggest headline for MND is that it is underfunded but not incurable.
"There has been a massive breakthrough in America recently [with a new type of drug]. It has helped reduce symptoms completely if not dramatically. There are a lot of trials going on in the UK, but it is underfunded.”
Steve and his family are hoping Manchester United players will at some point find the time to speak to him.
He said: "I'm a massive, lifelong Manchester United fan and I can feel the glory days coming back."
"I would love them to video call him," his carer added.
"MND has been highlighted a lot recently by famous people like [Former Leeds Rhinos scrum-half] Rob Burrow, but we are still at a point now where there is not a lot of understanding [around the condition].
Steve's children, Lucy, aged six, and Callum, see him every weekend. Steve's carer said his daughter especially is "very inquisitive" and helps her dad, now aged 36, with his exercises.
"She's a daddy's girl," said Steve.
He added: "I just want to say, if you have MND like me, it might seem like there is no hope, but we don't know what the future holds. Be strong, be brave, and never give up."
His carer said: "We want everybody to share this story, tag Manchester United and make this video call happen."
To find out more information on MND, click here.
