In a statement to Variety, “SpongeBob SquarePants” creator, Stephen Hillenburg, revealed that he has been diagnosed with ALS. The 55-year-old is a former marine biology teacher who brought his love and knowledge of the sea to the hit Nickelodeon series. The statement reads:

“I wanted people to hear directly from me that I have been diagnosed with ALS. Anyone who knows me knows that I will continue to work on ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ and my other passions for as long as I am able. My family and I are grateful for the outpouring of love and support. We ask that our sincere request for privacy be honored during this time.”

The neurodegenerative disease, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a rare terminal illness that affects nerves in the spinal cord and brain, and there is no cure at this time. A source close to the animator said that the diagnosis was recent, and that Stephen is currently in the early stages of the disease.

We wish Stephen well at this difficult time.