Man with MND goes outside for first time in 18 months

A father who has Motor Neurone Disease (MND) has left his home for the first time in 18 months.

Steve Wharton, 36, had not been able to leave his home in St Budeaux, Plymouth, due to health needs and a wait for equipment.

But after friends and family came together to help him, he was able to take his two young children to soft play.

Plymouth Council said it had "fast-tracked" Mr Wharton's case.

It said there been a referral from an occupational therapist in August 2023 and staff had been working since to provide a "bespoke external platform lift", enabling Mr Wharton to leave his home.

Meanwhile, Mr Wharton said he had been able to leave his house thanks to friends and family carrying him out in his wheelchair.

It was the first time the father-of-two had been able to take his three-year-old son Callum to soft play, along with six-year-old daughter, Lucy.

Watching them play, Mr Wharton said: "It's amazing to see them and hopefully in the future I can join them."

Steve Wharton was able to take his two children, Lucy and Callum, to soft play

In 2020 the plumber woke up with an unexplained limp and after seeing a physiotherapist, was diagnosed with MND. Eighteen months later he lost the ability to walk and talk.

Mr Wharton now relies on a tracheostomy to breathe and is fed through a tube with round-the-clock care.

He uses an eye gaze computer to communicate - it uses his voice which he banked after his diagnosis.

"It's impossible to put into words, MND strips you of everything that makes you human," he explained.

"I was really down last year but I had a word with myself and got my fight back, now MND doesn't rule me, I'm in charge and being depressed isn't my style."

Steve Wharton with his youngest child Callum shortly after receiving his diagnosis

Mr Wharton was joined by his specialist care team and his parents for the trip to Bounce Playzone.

His mother, Lynne said it had been a "very emotional" day, "just for him to see his children happy".

Mr Wharton's father, Melvin said it was great to see his son back outside.

"Steve will get a lot out of this and so will his children.

"We will do everything we can to make sure that he enjoys his day out. What else can we do? Not a lot. We keep pressing on."

• Listen: Steve Wharton tells BBC Radio Devon about his condition

Getting Mr Wharton to a position where he could go out for the day has taken weeks of preparation.

Natasha Plumley, who is one of Mr Wharton's specialist care team, said it was "incredible" to be a part of his journey.

"Steve hadn't felt fresh air on him or seen people, he only gets to see carers or friends and family that visit, he hasn't seen shops, or the pub."

"Watching Steve from November until now is really inspirational."

Manchester United fan, Steve Wharton, is hoping to get to Old Trafford in December

Mr Wharton said he wanted to raise more awareness of the disease.

"I want everyone to join the fight and give people like me hope. This disease is curable we just need the help to achieve this."

Mr Wharton is a lifelong Manchester United fan and has asked for help to go to see his team one last time.

The club has arranged tickets for a match in December and the local community is fundraising to cover the costs of the transport to Manchester as well as accommodation and care support.

"I can't wait to go to my home away from home, the theatre of dreams," he said.

A community fundraising day is being held on 11 November in St Budeaux.

A Plymouth City Council spokesperson said: "We are proud that Steve Wharton is the council's Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Champion and we have made a commitment to supporting residents with MND.

"As a result of that commitment, we have fast tracked the procurement process for the lift."

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