Stephen Hawking disease. The case history of Stephen William Hawking

The physicist from England Stephen Hawking is known not only in scientific circles. Many compare it with outstanding scientists, such as Einstein and Newton. Hawking deals with theoretical physics and applied mathematics, the theory of space and time, studies the fundamental laws that drive the universe. Stephen is a very influential scholar of modern times, he heads the department of the University of Cambridge.

But the story of Stephen Hawking is the constant overcoming of the incurable disease that accompanies him almost the entire adult life. This amazing man was able to realize the boundless possibilities of the human mind, suffering from lateral amyotrophic sclerosis.

Brief biography of the scientist

Stephen William Hawking was born January 8, 1942 in a family belonging to the middle class. However, his parents were graduates of Oxford and were considered intellectuals. Stephen was an ordinary child, only at the age of 8 he learned to read. At school I studied well, but nothing outstanding differed from my peers.

Feeling in the senior classes of interest in physics, he enrolled in the physics department in Oxford, where he showed no special zeal for studying, spending more time on sports and parties. Despite all this, he managed in 1962 to graduate from the university with a bachelor's degree. Stephen remained for some time in Oxford and studied sunspots, but later decided to go to Cambridge. There he studied theoretical astronomy.

The disease of Stephen Hawking began to make itself felt already in the period of admission to Cambridge University. And in 1963 a young man was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

What is ALS?

This is a chronic disease of the central nervous system, which is slowly progressing. It is characterized by damage to the cortex and brainstem, as well as neurons of the spinal cord responsible for movement. The patients develop paralysis, and then the atrophy of all muscles.

In Europe, the disease of Stephen Hawking for a long time was called in honor of the scientist Charcot, who described her symptoms in the middle of the XIX century. In the US, this disease is often referred to as Goering's disease in memory of a popular basketball player who died of ALS.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a rare disease. Out of 100,000 people, they suffer from one to five. Most often people get sick from 40 to 50 years. The disease of Stephen Hawking, whose causes are unknown, is incurable. Science still does not understand why the death of nerve cells is triggered. Heredity plays its role in about 10% of cases.

However, in the early 2000s, researchers suggested that ALS is associated with the accumulation of neurotransmitter molecules in the brain. Some evidence suggests that this disease develops because of excess glutamic acid, which causes neurons to work at full capacity, and as a result, quickly die. Currently, the search for genes responsible for the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is being actively pursued. Even taking into account the fact that a lot of work is being done to find medicines for this disease, the death rate from it is 100%.

Symptoms and course of the disease

The disease of Stephen Hawking, the symptoms of which are easily confused with the manifestation of other, less dangerous ailments, is very insidious. At first, a person experiences mild muscle disorders (most often the hands). This is expressed in difficulty, for example, writing, buttoning buttons, taking small items.

After the disease begins to progress, and in the process, the motor neurons of the spinal cord, and, together with them, the parts of the brain that control voluntary movements are gradually dying out. As a result, more and more muscles are without movement, not receiving impulses from the brain.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has received this name, because neurons that conduct impulses to the muscles of the body are located on the sides throughout the entire spinal cord.

Quite often in the early stages of the disease there are difficulties with speech, swallowing. In the later stages, a person is completely devoid of movement, his face loses facial expression, the muscles of the tongue become atrophied, salivation appears. However, he does not feel any pain.

Stephen Hawking's disease, although terrible, because it makes it paralyzed, but does not disturb the thought processes. Memory, hearing, vision, consciousness, cognitive functions of the brain remain at the same level.

What is the cause of death of patients with ALS?

At the last stages of the disease, the muscles of the respiratory tract become atrophied, as a result of which a person can not breathe. Although it happens that the body is not yet immobilized completely, but the muscles that are involved in breathing cease to function.

The life of Stephen Hawking with ALS

Despite the terrible diagnosis, Stephen continued his active life. However, the symptoms of the disease made themselves felt. And after another deterioration, Hawking went to the hospital for a survey, where he was told the terrible news that he had to live no more than two years. After this news, any person would fall into a depressed state, and Steven was no exception. But the thirst to live won, and he began to write his thesis. Hawking suddenly realized that there was still time to do something worthwhile, something useful for the whole world.

The disease of Stephen Hawking did not prevent him in 1965 to marry Jane Wilde, however, he came to his wedding with a cane. His wife knew about the terrible diagnosis, but decided to dedicate her entire life to her chosen one, caring for him, while he could work fruitfully while doing scientific work. Together they lived more than 20 years, three children were born into the marriage. Thanks to Jane, Stephen was constantly training, even being half paralyzed.

But it's very difficult to live with a person suffering from BAS. Therefore, in the early 90's, the couple divorced. However, Hawking did not stay long. He married his nurse. This marriage lasted 11 years.

Scientific activity

Stephen William Hawking, whose illness progressed along with his scientific career, defended his thesis in 1966, and the following year he moved no longer with a cane, but with crutches. After successful defense, he began working at Cambridge College Gonville and Caius as a research fellow.

The wheelchair had to be used since 1970, but despite this, from 1973 to 1879, Hawking worked at the University of Cambridge at the Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, where in 1977 he became a professor.

Physicist Stephen Hawking from 1965 to 1970 conducted research on the state of the universe at the time of the Big Bang. In 1970, he studied the theory of black holes, formulated several theories. As a result of his scientific work, he made a huge contribution to cosmology and astronomy, as well as to the understanding of gravity and the theory of black holes. Thanks to his fruitful work, Hawking has won a large number of awards and prizes.

Until 1974, the scientist could eat alone, as well as get up and go to bed. Some time later, the disease forced to turn to the help of students, but subsequently had to hire a professional nurse.

Stephen Hawking quickly lost the opportunity to write because of the atrophy of the muscles of the hands. Solve complex problems and equations, build and visualize graphics had to mind. The speech apparatus of the scientist also suffered, only close people and those who often communicated with him understood him. Despite this, Stephen dictated scientific papers to the secretary and lectured, but, true, with the help of an interpreter.

Writing books

The scientist decided to popularize science and in the 1980s began working on a book called "A Brief History of Time". It explained the nature of matter, time and space, the theory of black holes and the Big Bang. The author avoided complex mathematical terms and equations, hoping that ordinary people would also be interested in the book. And so it happened. Stephen did not expect his work to become so popular. In 2005, Hawking wrote the second book and gave it the title "The Shortest History of Time". It is devoted to the latest achievements in the field of theoretical astronomy.

Communication with the outside world with the help of technology

In 1985, Hawking fell ill with pneumonia. Stephen completely lost his speech because of the forced tracheotomy. Not indifferent people saved the scientist from silence. For him, a computer program was developed that allows using the lever to select the words displayed on the monitor with the help of a finger and make up of them phrases that were ultimately sent to the speech synthesizer. Communication with people through computer technology has greatly improved the life of a scientist. Also there was an opportunity to translate by means of an equalizer in symbols of the equation of physics which have been written by words. Now Stephen learned to read lectures on his own, but they had to be compiled and sent to a speech synthesizer in advance.

After the atrophy of the muscles completely immobilized the limbs of the scientist, an infrared sensor was placed in his glasses. This allows you to select letters with a look.

Conclusion

Despite his serious illness, Stephen William Hawking in his 73 years remains very active. He would be envied by many healthy people. He often travels, gives interviews, writes books, tries to popularize science, plans for the future. The professor's dream was a journey on a spaceship. The disease taught him not to spare himself, because to many it is not so supportive. He believes that for so long he lived through mental work and excellent care.

We can say that the story of Stephen Hawking is an example of the enormous diligence and courage that only the elite have.