Access All: Disability News and Mental Health - Sarah lost her voice to MND, 25 years later she's got it back

Download Sarah lost her voice to MND, 25 years later she's got it back

The onset of motor neurone disease (MND) left Sarah without a voice and the use of her hands at the age of 34. It was within months of her becoming a mum for the second time.

As they were growing up, her children Aviva and Eric only ever heard her speak through a machine with an emotionless robotic voice.

But 25 years on, artificial intelligence (AI) has recreated their mum's real voice from just eight seconds of audio on a scratchy VHS tape.

Sarah speaks to the BBC with eye-gaze technology - which uses a camera to track her eyes as she looks at letters on a screen in front of her.

Originally aired August 2025.

Presenter: Emma Tracey, mixed by Dave O'Neill, Series Producer: Beth Rose, Editor: Damon Rose.

Email accessall@bbc.co.uk

Published on Wednesday, 31st December 2025.

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