Locked-in syndrome after brain damage: living within my head

Tells the story of Paul Allen, a photographer who likes opera and was a good baritone singer.

At the age of 56 he sustained a stroke that left him paralysed and speechless.

He has Locked-In Syndrome (LIS), a rare consequence of brain damage.

Although Paul is fully conscious and his cognitive abilities are intact, he is unable to move or speak due to the paralysis of nearly all his voluntary muscles.

However, Paul is keen to communicate and through his eye movements he tells his story, from his early life, career, singing and other interests, to the details of his stroke and the effects it has had on his life.