For a man suffering from a life-threatening condition that will eventually confine him to a wheelchair, Graham Vincent smiles an awful lot.

The 66 year-old – a cabinet member on South Lakeland District Council – has spent two years coming to terms with a diagnosis that has already put an end to his fell walking and skiing holidays, and will one day mean he must retire from the council life he loves so dearly.

In 2007, after a doctor friend became concerned about his health, Graham was told he had Kennedy’s Disease – a rare genetic disorder that affects around one in 50,000 men and causes muscle weakness and wasting.

A rare form of the fatal motor neurone disease, it has already had an alarming affect on his day-to-day life but, despite facing an uncertain future, the former builder has thrown himself into council life and what he sees as his mission to transform South Lakeland’s fortunes.

“I’m not after sympathy, that’s not what I want. But I am conscious that people are starting to notice something is different about me,” he says.

A former rugby player and a builder for 35 years, Graham first noticed something was wrong when he was building a staircase for a house in Windermere.

He found the strength in his shoulder was deteriorating and during the weeks that followed his knee started to give way. “I could lift a hundred weight bag of cement but I couldn’t raise a house brick above my head.

"I thought I had a trapped nerve but I went to the doctors, they did all these tests and it became apparent it was more serious.”

As well as being told he had Kennedy’s Disease, Graham was told there was a 50-50 chance that his male relatives were carriers too.

The family – including partner Valerie and daughter Jo – still do not know if his young grandson Dylan, will be affected.

“And what would be the point in us finding out?” asks the councillor, who received a membership card for the Motor Neurone Disease Association through the post just days after his diagnosis.

“I found myself a member of an association I really didn’t want to join,” he laughs.

“But I look on the bright side of life.

“Although I have gone downhill quite rapidly, this condition is moving much slower than MND can do and I actually think I am very lucky.

“My illness didn’t truly start showing until I was in my early 60s.

"It could have shown in my 20s and I look at it that I have had 40 years of doing what I love doing.”

Because his throat and mouth have been affected, Graham struggles to swallow and eat but he keeps close at hand a stash of pineapple and tea – both of which help to limit the amount of saliva he produces – and is celebrating the fact he ate pork at the weekend, “something I haven’t done for two years”.

Nonetheless he doesn’t eat in public, and at some stage expects he will be fed via a tube into his stomach.

“I can see plus sides with that,” he points out with a twinkle in his eye. “At least I will know my diet is spot on.”

His speech has also been affected, although regular sessions with a speech therapist are helping.

“I find I have to concentrate hard on pronunciation and think about what I am saying before I begin.

“I am more measured, there is no animation any more and I always loved speaking in public.”

As we chat, the conversation turns to his political life and the ten years he has spent as a Liberal Democrat on South Lakeland Council.

As portfolio holder for economic prosperity, he has been involved in several high-profile campaigns.

As well as steering a major project to turn Kendal’s New Road car park into a pedestrian-friendly public space, he recently pledged to listen to local views on the redevelopment of Ambleside's Waterhead area.

It is clear that working for the local population is something he is passionate about.

“We have got to stop people moaning and get them thinking about Kendal as a quality town again,” he says.

“I will stand again at the next election but beyond that, who knows.

“I have no idea how long I will live, nor do I want to know but I’m not going to sit back and moan about it. I could have a really long, full, life ahead of me.

“I’m fearful of getting to a stage when I am reliant on someone to care for me but I’m not focussed on that.

“I’m focussed on making South Lakeland a prosperous place to live and work. I don’t have any intention of giving up just yet.”

l Contact the MND Association on 08457-626262.