Stephen Hawking Rushed to Hospital

The Toronto Star
April 20, 2009

Mathematician Stephen Hawking was rushed to a hospital today and is seriously ill, reports Cambridge University. Hawking has been fighting a chest infection for many weeks now, and has been treatted by Addenbrooke's Hospital in the university city of Cambridge, England. The university's head of communications, Gregory Hayman, said that Hawking is very ill and has been unwell for a couple of weeks. He is now undergoing tests. At the age of 21, Hawking was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a degenerative and incurable disease. He is now 67, and is famed for his work on black holes. Hawking has been paralyzed for many years now, communicating through a voice synthesizer controlled by his fingers. Hawking had canceled an appearance at Arizona State University on April 6 because of his illness. Last year, Hawking announced that he would step down as Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the end of the academic year. However, Hawking intended to continue working as Emeritus Lucasian Professor of Mathematics after he stepped down from the above title.

This story reflects the true vulnerability of life, in particular the life of one of the greatest minds of our time, Stephen Hawking. Although Hawking is paralyzed and has motor neuron disease, he is one of the world's greatest minds. His work is unforgettable, and his research has given so much to the scientific world. His major works include theorums regarding singularities in the framework of general relativity , and the theoretical prediction that black holes should emit radiation. His theorems have revolutionized the way scientists approach the theory of relativity and changed the way we view astronomy forever.While his mind is infallable and brilliant, his motor neuron disease has made his body weak and susceptible to repeated chest infections. If Hawking were to die from this illness, it would truly be a devastating loss to the world of science and mathematics. According to CBC news, Prof. Peter Haynes, head of Cambridge University's Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, commented on the respect and admiration he and the other faculty have for Hawking and stated, "Professor Hawking is a remarkable colleague. We all hope he will be amongst us again soon". (http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/04/20/hawking-stephen-ill.html) We can only hope that Stephen Hawking recovers from his severe condition, to continue his fine work as a scientist and mathemetician. Stephen Hawking truly represents the dicotomy between mind and body. His physical state is weak and not a true reflection of his intellect. This also relates back to the material we have studied this year, regarding the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Disability Rights are rights we all must observe without prejudice. Many around the world assume that if your body is feeble, you have nothing to offer society. However, disability activists have shown us the truth: that physical state is no reflection on what an individual can contribute to society. We must be consciouss of how we prejudge those around us based on appearance and rise above this remembering the example of Stephen Hawking.