This past November, "The Theory of Everything" premiered in theaters, a film that moved audiences to tears as they took a journey through the life of Stephen Hawking, a world-renowned theoretical physicist and cosmologist of our time. It was not his baffling genius or ground-breaking research that moved audiences, however; the emotion of the movie was driven by the devastating turn his life took when he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) at the young age of 21.
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The advancement of the disease slowly destroys motor neurons, eventually leading to their death. With compromised motor neurons, the brain's ability to initiate and control movement in the body is lost, and as the disease progresses, individuals can become fully paralyzed.
Hawking, pre-diagnosis of ALS.
Hawking, years after his diagnosis, physically limited to a motor chair but still able control facial muscles, enabling his speech and various facial expressions.
Today, Hawking is 73 years old, and communicates through a computer speaking device. A small sensor is activated by a muscle in his cheek. This sensor helps him "type" characters and numbers in his keyboard. The incredible computer technology learns to predict words and phrases for Hawking reducing the time and effort it takes for him to communicate. Hawking can give lectures, write chapters of books, and engage in conversations with the help of his technology.
This blog will aim to break down a general understanding of ALS week by week. Although Hawking's condition gives us a small picture to build our understanding of this terminal illness, we must keep in mind that as the longest living survivor of ALS, his condition and survival rate is especially rare. Unfortunately, life expectancy for individuals with ALS averages 2-5 years after the initial diagnosis.
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