It is just over five years since Len Johnrose was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).
But, as he sits at home speaking through the aid of a gridpad, a device which programmed with recordings of his own voice and also allows him to control his television and lights, how is he now five years on?
"I'm not too bad actually. I keep expecting to suddenly hit the wall but I feel pretty good," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.
Johnrose banked his voice before his symptoms progressed and the technology is remarkable, allowing him to converse via a screen which then plays what he has to say.