Irene's Story

"My speech deteriorated gradually," Irene explains. "I began slurring my words and found it difficult to articulate certain sounds and phrases. It would have been easy to withdraw from the world, but I was determined not to let that happen."

Her lifeline came through the Motor Neurone Disease Association and speech technology specialist Richard Cave, who introduced her to voice banking. Before her speech deteriorated too far, Irene recorded a series of words and phrases which were then processed by ElevenLabs. Using artificial intelligence, the company created a digital version of her voice that sounds exactly as it did before her diagnosis.

"The result was astonishing," says Irene. "AI has given me my voice back."

The digital voice was transferred to a speech application on her phone, allowing her to communicate using her own voice once again. The technology has transformed her daily life and given her the confidence to continue engaging with the world around her.

Today, that voice helps Irene continue volunteering at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, where she has welcomed visitors and shared the chapel's history for nearly two decades.

"I have typed answers to every possible question I can think of about the history of the Chapel into my voice app," she explained. "When visitors ask a question, my old Headteacher voice comes through loud and clear with the answer.

Recognising the impact of the technology, Richard Cave suggested documenting Irene's experience to show others living with speech loss that life does not have to stop when communication becomes difficult.

A film documenting Irene's journey was created to demonstrate how voice banking and AI technology can help people continue living full and meaningful lives despite losing their natural voice.

In June 2026, Irene and her husband, Martyn, were invited to Warsaw to attend the ElevenLabs Summit. There, Irene shared her experiences with an audience of more than 2,000 people in the city's magnificent Opera House.

"I shared the stage with the President of Poland, she explains. "The Deputy Prime Minister, CEOs from major industries, filmmakers and little old me." 

The event focused on how artificial intelligence can be used for positive social impact. Before Irene took to the stage, attendees watched the film documenting her journey. She was then interviewed about how the technology had transformed her life.

"I was the only speaker to receive a standing ovation," she says. "It was a remarkable experience and a great honour."

For Irene, however, the impact of the technology extends far beyond public speaking. It has also touched the people closest to her.

"My husband and I have been married for more than fifty years," she says. "To be able to remember what I sounded like is very emotional."

Living with MND presents many challenges, but Irene continues to demonstrate that a diagnosis does not mean the end of purpose, contribution or connection. Through the support of her family, friends, Thames Hospice and advances in technology, she has continued to embrace opportunities, help others and make her voice heard.

Her message to others facing speech loss is simple: don't wait.

"I hope my story and the film encourage people to bank their voices while they still can," she says. "This technology has allowed me to continue living a meaningful life, contributing to society and feeling valued."

For the team at Thames Hospice, Irene's story is a powerful reminder that hospice care is about helping people live well, maintain independence and continue doing the things that matter most to them. Through resilience, innovation and determination, Irene continues to inspire everyone around her and show that even in the face of a life-changing diagnosis, life can still be rich with purpose, connection and possibility.