Public Awareness of People With Disabilities
In his early adult years, Hawking received the dreaded diagnosis of a rare type of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Although his longevity was remarkably extended and his motor function degradation was slower than most other cases, his body eventually turned nearly completely unusable. Despite his condition getting worse, he was able to work on his studies for many years because of the best medical treatment and technology available. The adoption of a speech-generating gadget and sophisticated movement trackers allowed him to continue speaking in public even though he was unable to speak or move his limbs.
He was also a vocal supporter of the UK's National Health Service and stem-cell research, in part because of his own experiences. Such a well-known voice's steadfast support is tremendously beneficial for such causes. Motor neuron disorders have undoubtedly gained attention thanks to Prof. Hawking. Being visible, frequently at a time when disabled voices were absent from popular culture, was one of his major contributions to people with disabilities in general. He appeared on The Simpsons, Star Trek, and The Big Bang Theory for small-screen audiences.
Hawking's accomplishments serve as an example for us all and a sobering reminder of what one can accomplish despite the extreme difficulty. People with disabilities not only deserve our respect and sympathy, but we also need to be careful not to limit anyone with preconceived beliefs about what they are capable of.
