Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease in the United States, was one of the most formidable enemies Stephen Hawking had to contend with. He was informed, almost casually, that he might not live to be 25 years old after being diagnosed at age 21 while he was completing his doctorate at Cambridge. But thanks to his unwavering curiosity, first-rate care, and unbreakable spirit, Hawking lived a full 55 years, defying both the clock and conventional wisdom.
One type of motor neurone disease (MND) that strikes silently is ALS. It slowly locks the body inside itself by targeting the motor neurons that regulate voluntary muscle movement. This process is usually remarkably rapid, depriving people of the capacity to walk, talk, and eventually breathe. However, Hawking’s illness progressed remarkably slowly, giving him decades to advance scientific understanding and change how people around the world view potential and disability.
| Personal Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Stephen William Hawking |
| Date of Birth | January 8, 1942 |
| Place of Birth | Oxford, England |
| Date of Death | March 14, 2018 |
| Place of Death | Cambridge, England |
| Education | University of Oxford (BA), University of Cambridge (PhD) |
| Field | Theoretical Physics, Cosmology |
| Famous Works | A Brief History of Time, The Universe in a Nutshell |
| Notable Positions | Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, University of Cambridge |
| Website Reference | Stephen Hawking Biography Britannica |
Hawking’s mind was free to roam, brilliantly answering questions about black holes and the origins of the universe, even though his muscles were slowly imprisoned. His computerized voice and the whirr of his recognizable wheelchair became a symbol of perseverance over time. Hawking became more than just a scientist after appearing in popular television programs like The Simpsons and Star Trek; he symbolized the idea that the mind’s potential could never be fully constrained by the physical body.
Surprisingly, his case continued to inspire and confound the medical community. The majority of ALS patients only live for two to five years following diagnosis, according to the ALS Association. Just 10% of cases last longer than ten years. Because Hawking’s half-century journey was so uncommon, doctors were both perplexed and inspired to reconsider the disease’s causes. The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center’s Dr. Jeffrey Elliott famously proposed that Hawking’s longevity was due to a combination of an exceptionally slow-progressing form of ALS and the availability of 24-hour medical care.
In particular, financial assistance was crucial to Hawking’s struggle. After being initially looked after by his first wife, Jane Wilde, whose selflessness helped him survive in the beginning, Hawking eventually secured grants and financial support that enabled him to employ a qualified nursing staff. In 1985, following a life-saving tracheostomy, ongoing specialized care was irrevocable. Hawking openly admitted in a 2002 interview with the British Medical Journal that sustaining the standard of care that kept him alive and engaged in his career depended heavily on kind grants and donations.
Hawking bravely remained in the public eye, challenging conventional wisdom regarding disability. He highlighted that intellectual accomplishments need not be constrained by physical deterioration through his best-selling books, public lectures, and captivating public persona. His life occurred as the disability rights movement gained momentum, highlighting the need to move away from seeing disability as a barrier and toward acknowledging it as a component of the diverse range of human experience.
There were still questions, even among neurologists. Some hypothesized that Hawking might have suffered from a slow-progressing motor neurone disease or an uncommon, atypical form of ALS. Researchers noted that early-onset cases occasionally advance more slowly, which may be related to as-yet-unidentified genetic mutations. Hawking, however, was largely regarded as a unique phenomenon—a personification of perseverance, inquisitiveness, and genius—who flourished where so many others were brutally silenced.
Hawking’s access to state-of-the-art care and technology during his journey revealed a startling reality: a large number of ALS patients worldwide lack even the most basic resources, let alone sophisticated medical treatments. Despite being remarkable, Hawking’s life subtly brought attention to the pressing need for more extensive healthcare reforms. His tale served as a potent reminder that wealth or circumstance should never be used as a barrier to survival.
However, what set him apart was his ability to combine pop culture with scientific gravity. Hawking showed that the intellect could be surprisingly relatable, whether he was knighted with high honors or made an appearance on funny TV. His bravery served as an inspiration to rock bands, politicians, and celebrities alike. Following his death in 2018, tributes from celebrities such as Pink Floyd and Barack Obama poured in, demonstrating how profoundly Hawking’s legacy had impacted society.
