Paste youStephen Hawking is an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, author, and Director of Research at University of Cambridge. He is known worldwide for his first book, A Brief History of Time, and his theories and research on black holes. Stephen Hawking is a worldwide inspiration for his perseverance of powering through his struggles with the debilitating disease of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Three of Stephen Hawking’s biggest challenges were living with ALS early into his diagnoses, accepting his life and working with ALS, and adapting to how ALS affected his relationships with his children and spouses.
Stephen Hawking was twenty one when he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and he was not expected to see his twenty fifth birthday. Amazingly he is now seventy four years old and has been living with ALS for fifty three years. ALS is a neurodegenerative ailment that destroys nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. The degeneration of motor neurons in ALS leads to the demise of motor neurons, and the ability of the mind to control muscles is lost. Most people live for about five years after being diagnosed. There is no cure for ALS. Early into Hawking’s diagnoses, he lost the ability to walk, to hold objects, and to speak fully, making it difficult for him to get accustomed to his new limitations and for him to continue doing the work that he loves in the field of science. Stephen was told he would only have two years to live and this information halted his work because he couldn’t cope with the idea of how little time he had left. Hawking became depressed and believed there was no point for him to continue his studies even though his doctors recommended that he should continue with his work. Eventually, with the encouragement of Sciama, a British physicist, Hawking returned to his work. Hawking began developing a reputation for brilliance when he publicly challenged the work of Fred Hoyle, an English astronomer and cosmologist. Hawking’s popularity and acknowledgment came from his statements against Fred Hoyle on astronomy, which gave Hawking the determination to write his first book called, A Brief History of Time. Stephen Hawking overcame his challenge with ALS early into his diagnoses while he was in college, which led him to become a worldwide known English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and writer. Hawking earned worldwide recognition for his work early in his life when ALS was dramatically affecting him the most because he had the courage and persistence to continue what he loves even though he wanted to give up.
During the end of the 1960’s, Stephen Hawking lost all ability to move and was confined to a wheelchair. During the 1970’s, Hawking’s speech could only be interpreted by his family and closest friends and eventually he was unable to speak at all; even though his mind was fully aware of what was going on and he had full capability to think. Hawking struggled with his work because he was no longer able to write and have anyone interpret his ideas. Hawking had minimal use of one hand that he was able to type with, but the processes of typing was drastically slow. Since Hawking fell behind on his work, and didn’t want his popularity to be focused on his illness and challenges with ALS, he became strongly criticized. Then during a visit to CERN, The European Organization for Nuclear Research, in 1985, Hawking contracted pneumonia, which in his condition was life-threatening; he was so sick that his wife, Jane, was asked if life support should be continued. She refused to discontinue life support, so Hawking needed to have a tracheotomy, where he required around the clock maintenance. He battled through and was able to return home. In 1986, Hawking received a computer program called, the "Equalizer" from Walter Woltosz. This allowed him to type and then the computer would speak what was typed. This sparked Hawking to continue with his work now that he was able to communicate his full thoughts. This computer allowed Hawking to publish twenty five books with another coming in 2018. Hawking was able to overcome his challenges to continue working while having ALS. Despite having ALS, Hawking has accomplish astounding things like writing books and developing theories on black holes. Hawking should not only be defined by his disease, but by his mind that is fully functional.
Stephen Hawking has three children: Lucy Hawking, Timothy Hawking, and Robert Hawking. Hawking was married to Jane Wilde from 1965’1995 then Elaine Mason from 1995’2006. Hawking struggled to be the ideal father to his children whom he fathered with Jane. Hawking was not able to experience the important moments of his children’s lives because he was extremely limited on what he could do with them. During this time, Hawking required full daily routine maintenance from his nurses. Hawking was depressed because he wasn’t the father he wished he could be, and he felt that his children wouldn’t be there later in his life for him because he couldn’t be there for them when they were growing up. Jane became disturbed by always having nurses around and not being able to care for Hawking the way she wanted to. Hawking pushed away Jane’s support which caused her to divorce him. The same year of his divorce, Hawking married Elaine Mason, one of his nurses. Reports were filed by his daughter on how Elaine was abusive to Hawking. The reports included how she broke his wrist, let him wet himself, left him in the bath for his trachea to fill with water, and left him outside on hot days. Stephen Hawking resolved his spousal problems by divorcing Mason and remaining single. Hawking fixed his problems with his children because he let them know how important they are to him and that they are the only thing that has ever mattered the most to him.
Stephen Hawking has faced many challenges while living with ALS; he struggled early into his diagnoses, living his life and working with ALS, and ALS affected his relationships with his children and spouses. Stephen Hawking should not only be defined by his disease since his mind remains fully functioning and aware. Hawking has been able to accomplish revolutionary theories and studies even with his disability. Hawking serves as a role model to everyone to persevere through the midst of adversity.
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