Learning Objectives
- Understand the meeting between two differently-abled individuals
- Learn about Stephen Hawking and his achievements
- Explore themes of disability, determination, and the power of the mind
- Develop empathy and appreciation for human resilience
Key Concepts
About the Chapter
Author: Firdaus Kanga, an Indian author and journalist who was born with brittle bones (osteogenesis imperfecta) and uses a wheelchair.
Theme: Disability is not inability. The chapter celebrates the extraordinary achievements of people who overcome physical limitations through the power of mind, will, and determination.
The Meeting
Firdaus Kanga, himself disabled, travels to Cambridge University to meet the world-famous physicist Professor Stephen Hawking. Hawking suffered from motor neuron disease (ALS), which gradually paralysed him. He could not move, write, or speak without assistance. He communicated using a specially designed computer attached to his wheelchair that converted his finger movements into speech.
The Interview
Despite his severe physical limitations, Hawking was cheerful, witty, and full of life. Kanga asked him several questions:
- When asked if he found it difficult being confined to a wheelchair, Hawking typed: "I don't know." Kanga interpreted this as Hawking refusing to think of his condition as difficult — a sign of immense inner strength.
- Hawking said he had no time for feeling sorry for himself, as he was too busy with his scientific work.
- When Kanga expressed that meeting Hawking made him feel good about his own disability, Hawking smiled and communicated warmth.
Stephen Hawking's Achievements
Stephen Hawking was one of the greatest theoretical physicists of the 20th and 21st centuries. He held the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics chair at Cambridge (the same position once held by Isaac Newton). His book "A Brief History of Time" became one of the best-selling science books ever. Despite being almost completely paralysed, he made groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of black holes, the Big Bang, and the nature of the universe.
Kanga's Reflections
Kanga realised that meeting Hawking changed his own perspective on disability. Both men — one with brittle bones, the other almost completely paralysed — demonstrated that physical limitations do not define a person. What matters is the spirit, determination, and the will to live a full and meaningful life.
Important Terms
- Motor Neuron Disease (ALS): A progressive disease that destroys nerve cells controlling muscles
- Differently-abled: A respectful term for people with physical disabilities
- Osteogenesis Imperfecta: A condition causing extremely fragile bones (Kanga's condition)
- Synthesiser: An electronic device that converts input into speech
- Lucasian Professor: A prestigious mathematics chair at Cambridge University
Quick Revision
- Author: Firdaus Kanga (disabled himself, born with brittle bones)
- He visits Cambridge to meet Stephen Hawking (physicist, had ALS)
- Hawking communicated through a computer-synthesiser on his wheelchair
- Hawking was cheerful, witty; said he was too busy to feel sorry for himself
- Hawking's achievements: Lucasian Professor, "A Brief History of Time," black hole research
- Theme: disability is not inability; the power of the human spirit transcends physical limits