Hawking Update: Condition Improved
Written by Nancy Atkinson
Professor Stephen Hawking in 2006. Credit: Wikipedia
Physicist/mathematician Stephen Hawking has improved after spending the night at a hospital near his home in Cambridge, England, and the 67-year-old's condition was described as "comfortable." Hawking's first wife, Jane, was quoted that she believed his illness was no longer life-threatening. A spokesperson for Cambridge University, where Prof Hawking holds the post of Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, said that he would be kept in hospital for observation. "He is comfortable and his family is looking forward to him making a full recovery," said Gregory Hayman. "He has had a good night but will be kept in at Addenbrooke's Hospital for observation. He is showing signs of improvement."
Hawking, best known as the author of the best-selling science book A Brief History of Time, was taken to hospital two days after returning from a tour of engagements in the United States. Cambridge University took the unprecedented step of commenting on Hawking's condition, describing him as "very ill".
Hawking suffers from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), an incurable degenerative disorder also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He is wheelchair bound and only able to speak with the help of a voice synthesiser.
He was diagnosed with the muscle-wasting disease at the age of 21, which has gradually robbed him of his voice and movement in his limbs.
At the time of being diagnosed with the disease, he was told that he could expect to live for two years but has become one of the oldest-known survivors of the disease, after more than 40 years.
Source: Telegraph
Filed under: Physics
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April 21st, 2009 at 10:23 am
Get well soon, Sir!
You are no quitter.
Warmest best wishes to the Hawking family.
m
April 21st, 2009 at 10:57 am
My thoughts and prayers go out to you, Mr. Hawking.
April 21st, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Get well soon Professor Hawking
April 21st, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Nothing keeps a good physicist down!
April 21st, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Dear Stephen Hawking , may you live to be 100 . Me and the world need you .Many thanks for all the knowledge you gave us. Much love to you and yours !
April 21st, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Aupa stephen!!
April 21st, 2009 at 4:41 pm
i hope he recovers fast . i love his work.
i do think he is the second Einstein of the XX century…
please Stephen don't leave us yet
April 21st, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Dr. Hawking has given us so much, and he has dealt with his infirmity with greater courage and determination than most of us will ever be able to muster against far less debilitating conditions. May he get well quickly, and be with us for a long while to come!
April 21st, 2009 at 11:30 pm
thinking of you always doc,and hang in there,we all love you
April 22nd, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Dr. Hawking is my hero — he has been for years! He opened a whole new world to me through his genius of explaining the wonders of space, physics and time to millions of people like me who lacked the background needed to interpret pure science.
Get well, Dear Sir, I will pray daily for your recovery.
April 22nd, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Thank you for all your brilliance–my husband Craig exposed me to you and I adore you. OUR PRAYERS are with you always.
Linda & Craig Wood
Encinitas, CA
April 23rd, 2009 at 11:33 am
Get well soon, sir. We love you <3