This January, Stephen Hawking – renowned
theoretical physicist and one of the world’s most brilliant minds – invites you
on an intimate and revealing journey through his life. Told for the first time
in Stephen’s own words, A BRIEF HISTORY OF MINE is the
powerful story of Stephen’s battle with his debilitating disease, his rise to
fame, and its devastating effects on his family life. The two-hour special
premieres January 4 at 8:00 p.m.; encores Monday, January 5 at
midnight.
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| Photo courtesy of Discovery |
Stephen Hawking was born in 1942.
Shortly after his 21st birthday while he was pursuing his PhD at
Cambridge University, Stephen was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,
also known as motor neuron disease or ALS. He was given two to three years to
live but he has somehow defied the odds. For more than 50 years now, he has
been travelling the world studying and lecturing about time and space, and the
laws that govern the universe. Stephen reveals how keeping an active mind has
been vital to his survival, as has been maintaining a sense of humour. We also
hear from those who know and work with him – his family, friends, peers, and
also Hollywood actor Jim Carrey whom Stephen did a skit with.
Now 72 years old, Stephen still goes
to work every day at Cambridge University. He has twelve honorary degrees, and is
the author of numerous publications and books. He is the recipient of many awards, medals and prizes, is a Fellow of The
Royal Society and a Member of the US National Academy of Sciences.
While he is wheelchair-bound and dependent on a computerised
voice system for communication, Stephen is still very much involved in his research
and family life. The grandfather of three continues to travel extensively for
lectures, and hopes to make it into space one day.
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