Professor Stephen Hawking, the British scientist best known as the propounder of modern astrophysics and cosmology, is no more with us. He was suffering from a motor neuron disease called Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) since five decades.
ALS rendered his entire body dysfunctional, except his brain. Due to his paralysis, he was bound to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
Normally, a patient of ALS lives for five to six years. But Hawking’s courage and resilience sustained his life for the next 53 years.
The great scientist turned the bane of his disease into a boon.
Hawking once said, “Before the disease, I was frustrated with my life. I did not feel as if I was doing anything productive. Even at the young age of 21, I had no desire or motivation. But the life I have after the disease is a bonus.”
Before the disease, Hawking could not concentrate on his studies. But after being diagnosed, he did not expect to live longer, which encouraged him to focus his efforts towards his research on the universe.
Hawking was glad that he could contribute towards people’s understanding of the universe.
Hawking has been recognized as an expert of cosmology. He has propounded many theories such as the origin and design of the universe, the theory of Big Bang, black holes and Hawking Radiation.
Hawking may have done tremendous research on the nature of the universe, but his biggest lesson to mankind is:
“However bad life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. Where there is life, there is hope.”
(Birth: 1942 Death: 2018)
(Text Written by: Nivid Desai)
