Unit 09 Against All Odds.pptVIP

Against All Odds Michael White and John Gribbin Stephen Hawking - a Life in Science (1992) A nonfiction book byWhite Gribbin This biography pays particular attention to Hawkings scientific achievement, as well as to the tragic progress of his illnesses and his extraordinary will to survive and to continue working despite major progressive handicap. Born 8 January 1942 , Stephen William Hawking is a theoretical physicist. He is CH (Companion of Honor名誉勋位), FRS (Fellow of Royal Society), and also the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge. Quantum physics, and particularly: theoretical cosmology quantum gravity black holes Hawking’s runaway popular science bestseller (published in 1988) The Best-seller Despite enduring severe disability and being rendered quadriplegic by motor neuron disease, he has had a successful career for many years, and has achieved status as an academic celebrity. He is considered by most as one of the greatest scientists in modern times. I am quite often asked how do you feel about having ALS? The answer is, not a lot. I try to lead as normal a life as possible, and not think about my condition, or regret the things. I have had motor neuron disease for practically all my adult life. I could select words from a series of menus on the screen, by pressing a switch in hands, head or eye movement. A speech synthesizer fitted to my wheel chair allowed me to write, talk. Yet it has not prevented me from having a very attractive family, and success in my work. It gave me something to live for. I realised that there were a lot of worthwhile things I could do. I was enjoying life in the present more than before. Thanks to the help I have received from Jane, my children, and a large number of other people. 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