Inspiring People

Stephen Hawking

Some of the qualities of Stephen Hawking are that he has a positive outlook and he has great wisdom

Stephen Hawking was born on 8th January 1942 in Oxford, England. He has always been interested in science. He enrolled at University College Oxford wanting to study Mathematics but as Mathematics was not available, Stephen decided to study Physics instead.

Stephen has written a number of books on the universe including 'A Brief History of Time', which has also been turned into a film. He has won many awards for his efforts in the field of Physics and was awared a CBE in 1982.

Stephen Hawking is severely disabled by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS, a type of motor neurone disease. He was diagnosed when he was 21 and doctors said he would not survive more than two or three years. He is now 65 years old. Stephen has gradually lost the use of his arms, legs, and voice, and is now almost completely paralyzed. He uses a wheelchair with a computer system attached to it so he can talk, write speeches, browse the Internet and write emails.

Despite his disability, he says �I try to lead as normal a life as possible, and not think about my condition, or regret the things it prevents me from doing, which are not that many. I have been lucky, that my condition has progressed more slowly than is often the case. But it shows that one need not lose hope.�

Stephen Hawking continues to combine family life (he has three children and one grandchild), and his research in Physics together with an extensive programme of travel and public lectures.

The qualities of Stephen Hawking: Intelligence, Hard working, Determination, Optimism and Patience.