Stephen Hawking who has neuro-muscular dystrophy has been in a wheelchair for 30 years. He is Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of the Royal Society. For over 35 years, he has educated many hundreds of students who went on to distinguish themselves as scientists, mathematicians and engineers, making vital contributions to society and the world. He is well known for his books about space, black holes, the formation of stars, planets and the Universe, and theoretical physics.
He is generally acknowledged to be one of the top scientists in the world and has been compared to Albert Einstein. Stephen Hawking communicates via a speech machine on his wheelchair, this machine receives input via head / eye motions, selects phrases, sentences and words on a computer screen, and outputs speech via speak-ers. Technology has enabled Stephen Hawking to deliver lectures and tutorials, write books, read books, engage in debates, socialise and have an independent life. In August 2009, Mr. Hawking was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama in Washington DC. This is the highest honour which can be given to a civilian. This acknolwedges a life-time of great work and achievements. In Spring 2010, Stephen Hawking launched 3 film documentaries, titled ―Into the Universe‖ which explain the Universe, space, planets, life, and humanity's destiny in a format which most people will understand, and this has opened up important knowledge to many millions of people worldwide. One can see these documentaries on the Discovery Channel or buy them on the Internet at http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/stephen-hawking/
Stephen Hawking is a good example of a disabled person overcoming adversity and living a fulfilling and independent life, and making a valuable contribution to the economy, to science and to society.