Stephen #Hawking, one of the greatest living scientists, is wheelchair bound by a crippling disease, is also without a voice box. He embodies the importance of taking obstacles in one’s stride.
2. Inspirational Lessons
Stephen Hawking, one of the greatest living scientists, is not only
wheelchair bound by a crippling disease, but is also without a voice
box after it was removed following a bout of pneumonia. He
embodies the importance of taking obstacles in one’s stride.
One might not have earmarked Hawking as the next great scientist of
a generation. He only learnt to talk at 3 years old, read at 8 years old
and was terribly lazy throughout his schooling – even during his
studies at Cambridge University.
Hawking had a natural flare for Mathematics, However, upon finding
out that University College didn’t offer Maths, Hawking jumped
straight into a degree in Physics. After finishing his undergraduate
degree, he decided to study Cosmology at Cambridge University.
3. It was during his time at Cambridge that, at the tender
age of 20, Hawking was given the news that he had
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The disease, he
was told, causes a person to lose the use of their limbs
and is often fatal. Hawking lost his will to live and
thought he would give up. However, just as he was at
his wit’s end he fell in love with a girl, who would later
become his life. This almost single-handadly brought
back his spark and passion. Some speculate that his
new-found happiness slowed his illness down and
allowed him to finish his Ph.D cosmology.
4. When Hawking took the post of Lucasian Professor of
Mathematics at the Department of Applied
Mathematics and Theoretical Physics at Cambridge
University he was finally in his desired field, content
to spend his days pursuing the great mathematical
challenges of our day – just as he had dreamed of as a
teen.
5. Professor Stephen Hawking may
be in a wheelchair, and may
have to speak through a
synthesizer, but he has
nonetheless overcome an
obstacle doctors never thought
he would – to live for 30 years
with ALS. Not only has Hawking
overcome a monumental
obstacle; he has done so
exceptionally, becoming a role
model. Hawking has won
numerous awards, medals and
prizes worldwide for his
scientific prowess. Wanting to
share his life with the world,
Hawking has released two
autobiographies, has been
awarded 12 honorary degrees,
and has even the title of
Commander of the British
Empire.
6. “The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of
knowledge.”
“Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.”
“It is all right to make mistakes; nothing is perfect because with
perfection, we would not exist.”
“Although I cannot move and I have to speak through a computer, in my
mind I am free.”
“The universe doesn't allow perfection.”
“One is always a long way from solving a problem until one actually has
the answer.”
Inspirational Lessons
References
http://en.aiolusnews.com/search/stephen%20hawking/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hawking
http://www.hawking.org.uk/