How Stephen Hawking, diagnosed with ALS decades ago, is still alive

Stephen Hawking in 2007. (Bruno Vincent/Getty Images)

By Terrence McCoy-February 24 at 3:19 AM

On April 20, 2009, a moment arrived that doctors had foretold for decades. Stephen Hawking, a scientist who overcame debilitating disease to become the world’s most renowned living physicist, was on the cusp of death. The University of Cambridge released grim prognoses. Hawking, diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 21, was described as “very ill” and “undergoing tests” at the hospital. Newspapers ran obituary-esque articles. It seemed time was up for the man who so eloquently explained it.
How Stephen Hawking, Diagnosed With ALS Decades Ago, Is Still Alive by Thavam Ratna