He was fighting a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a growing neurodegenerative disease that strikes the nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain, starting to paralysis, Hawking was able to bring to light to many groundbreaking theories in the field of quantum physics, while making the difficult field available to millions through a range of bestselling books, and helping out students in their theories.
Hawking was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in 1963, after encountering struggles with his movements in his final year at Oxford University. He was given just two years to live by doctors at the time but went on to live with it for more than 50 years, an astonishingly long time for an ALS patient. Unfortunately, there is no cure for ALS or the reasons for it. You may remember the successful awareness-raising campaign for ALS that went viral a couple of years back, the ‘Ice Bucket Challenge.’ $115 million dollars were collected for the research into the disease, following with some major discoveries in the field.
Devastated by his diagnosis, Hawking continued his work while his physical capabilities weakened. Despite all of the problems and psychical hardships he encountered, he always found ways to defeat them. He got around in a mobile wheelchair and was able to talk through an automated speech system, which gave him his iconic, computerized voice.
As well as his achievements in the field of quantum physics, and his determined quest to find a ‘unified theory’ that would aid us in our goal to gain a ‘complete understanding of the events around us, and of our own existence,’ Hawking’s celebrity helped to popularize and bring cosmology to a whole new generation of people.
His bestselling books and appearances on TV shows such as The Simpsons and The Big Bang Theory helped to develop an enthusiasm for science that will last well beyond his passing. He has given hope to the future scientists through his genius theories and discoveries, his determination in the face of difficulty, and his inspiration to millions of people all over the world. He will be dearly missed.
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