It would be totally dishonest if I did not admit that I am anxious much of the time about my condition, most particularly, I suppose, in bed at night if the fasciculations are very active. One lies there knowing one is going downhill, but how fast? Beyond that I do not believe that I am seriously depressed.

The worst aspect of this condition is the overall sense of weakness and increasing frustration in being unable to do things with one’s hands. Yesterday, for example, I almost failed to get out of the train because I could not exert enough pressure on the door ‘open’ button, which I eventually managed to do with my elbow.

The other great frustration comes in handling paper. Sorting out files and so on and the absolute impossibility to grip single pages. I can still manage my laptop with my hands using the middle finger of my left hand to operate the mouse. In addition, I have a lever Point It! mouse, kindly provided by AbilityNet, which I also use. When the hands go I shall have to revert to a foot operated mouse which will also be provided by AbilityNet. Having said I manage with my laptop, again I find the process extremely frustrating. Everything is so much slower now.

Beyond all of that I live day to day and do not give too much thought as to how I might end up. If I did well on this I’m sure I could become extremely depressed. It is for that reason that I include, in this blog, urbane details of unaccompanied visits to London, Lord’s, the golf club and the like. Not to impress the reader about how sociable I am but just to demonstrate my physical ability for activity.

I hope that this satisfies the reader who wanted to learn more about my emotional state of mind.