The doctors told Stephen that he only had a few more years to live. While this made Stephen very sad, he did not give up hope. He finished his PhD and got married to his friend, Jane Wilde. Dr Hawking believed that, “However bad life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. While there’s life, there is hope.”

Dr Hawking and his wife had three lovely children. The children brought great joy into their lives. Dr Hawking was also growing in his career. He carried out research on black holes. He received many awards for his scientific work. He became a professor of Physics at Cambridge University.

However, Dr Hawking’s health was becoming worse with time. He had to use crutches and then a wheelchair to move around. He had an operation that left him with no voice.

To adapt , he created visual methods to learn. He started with raising his eyebrows to choose a letter on a spelling board. He was unwilling to give up. Later, he got to use advanced technology that made it easier for him to communicate with others. He could simply press switches to select words and phrases. He operated the computer’s switch with his hand. When he lost control of his hand muscles as well, he used his cheek muscles to operate the computer. Finally, he used a software to help him select his words. He said, “Although I cannot move and I have to speak through a computer, in my mind I am free.”

Dr Hawking and his wife, Jane, together spoke for other people with disabilities. They wanted to spread awareness about the potential of people with disabilities. Dr Hawking took a flight into space. Describing his flight, he said, “I was Superman for those few minutes.”

Dr Hawking wrote many books that have helped people understand the universe. His best-known book is A Brief History of Time. In the book, he explains the beginning, growth and future of our universe, in simple language. He wanted to help people know more about science. So, he acted in two popular television shows as well.

Dr Stephen Hawking was known for thinking of new ways to help us understand the universe. His studies in cosmology and physics won him many awards.