This week the world lost an inspirational figure – Professor Stephen Hawking who passed away at his home in Cambridge aged 76. He was an intelligent physicist best known for his work on black holes and relativity.
The British scientist was famed for several books published about his work including A Brief History of Time. At the age of 21, he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease and told he had 2 years to live. However he beat the odds and lived on for another 54 years.
I can say that I’m not much of a science geek and couldn’t go through Prof. Hawking’s theories. However he did inspire me by his positive attitude towards his disability and being able to achieve so much despite his lack of physical abilities. Moreover most disabled people in the public eye tend to be sports personalities.
So to have a academic figure representing disabled people brings ambition to other disabled people wanting to follow a similar career.
I admit I first heard of Stephen Hawking, not through science, but on a television sitcom. He appeared on an episode of The Simpsons but the gullible child I was, thought he was a fictional disabled character on the programme…DOH!
Another admiring aspect of Stephen Hawking is his creativity and cleverness with words. For instance, Professor Hawking once said; “I believe that life on Earth is at an ever-increasing risk of being wiped out by a disaster such as sudden nuclear war, a genetically engineered virus, or other dangers. I think the human race has no future if it doesn’t go into space. I therefore want to encourage public interest in space.”
Ironically he is nearly correct with an increase in natural disasters and the unknown outcomes of Putin’s, Trump’s and Kim Jong Un’s nuclear plans. I have similar thoughts that being here on Earth is becoming more dangerous and depressing and would be great just to evacuate to another planet.
In fact, I believe if Hawking wasn’t committed to his science research, he would be great as Prime Minister and can make vital changes to the health service and equality rights.
I want to finish my tribute by sharing three of my favourite inspirational quotes from Professor Stephen Hawking:
1. “One, remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Two, never give up work. Work gives you meaning and purpose and life is empty without it. Three, if you are lucky enough to find love, remember it is there and don’t throw it away”
2. “We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the Universe. That makes us something very special”
3. “My advice to other disabled people would be, concentrate on things your disability doesn’t prevent you doing well, and don’t regret the things it interferes with. Don’t be disabled in spirit, as well as physically”
