Aaron Sorkin revealed that he suffered a stroke that could have left him paralyzed.

The Oscar-winning screenwriter of “The Social Network” told The New York Times in an interview that the stroke occurred in November 2022 during the writing process of “Camelot,” his first Broadway musical.

“There was a moment when I was worried that I would never be able to write again, and in the short term I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to continue writing ‘Camelot,'” Sorkin said. “Let me make this very, very clear. I’m fine. I wouldn’t want anyone to think I can’t work. I’m fine”.

Sorkin decided to open up about what happened to him and his health fears in an effort to raise awareness about the lifestyle habits. Sorkin noted that the stroke was the result of high blood pressure, with his doctor telling him “you’re supposed to be dead.” Symptoms of the stroke included bumping into walls, not being able to hold an object in his hand and becoming disoriented when walking.

Months after the stroke the screenwriter still can’t hold a cutlery and only recently was able to sign although as he said writing with his hand is still difficult. He also revealed that for about a month after the stroke he was slurring his words.

“Mostly it was a strong wake-up call. I thought I was one of those people who could eat whatever she wanted, smoke whatever she wanted and it wasn’t going to affect me. Boy, was I wrong,” Sorkin said, adding that he has since quit smoking, started exercising daily and is on a lot of medication.

“You can hear the pills rattling inside me,” Sorkin said, adding that smoking was an “integral” part of his writing process and his career. “It was just a part of me, like a pen was a part of me,” he said.