He was one of the most brilliant scientists of the 20th and 21st Centuries – a genius who helped us unlock the secrets of the universe – he was also an inspiration to anyone who struggled with disability, having with diagnosed with motor neurone disease at the age of 22, given only a few years to live, then ultimately confined to a wheelchair, unable to move or speak. Sir Stephen Hawking never let his doctors’ pronouncements stop him, instead he would go on to change the world.
I didn’t hear about Hawking’s death until around 5pm yesterday. I was so heart-broken! He was an inspiration to everyone, he had cameos on several of my favorite shows, & he exceeded a devastating prognosis by over a half a century. They gave him 2 years, he took 55.
The world is a little poorer (& less intelligent) for having lost him. But, we were blessed to have him as long as we did. <3
As a scientist and as a person, he was incredible.