Stephen Hawking hailed as ‘extraordinary’ by International Paralympic Committee president

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He will go down in history as the man who changed the way we view the universe.
USA TODAY

Professor Stephen Hawking, who died Wednesday at 76, was an inspiration to people in many walks of life, including athletics.

The British theoretical physicist, who was one of the most famous scientists of the modern age, probably was known best for his 1988 work A Brief History of Time, which helped many laypeople better understand modern astrophysics. 

Hawking spoke at the Opening Ceremony for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, where he said the competition was ”all about transforming our perception of the world.

“We are all different, there is no such thing as a standard or run of the mill human being, but we share the same human spirit,” he said. ”Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see. Be curious.”

In a statement, International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons lauded Hawking as “an extraordinary man and a pioneer for all people with an impairment around the world. He embodied the word ability more than anyone.

“In the Paralympic Movement we always say that Para athletes see challenges as opportunities to do things differently. Although not a Para athlete, Hawking did just that, finding innovative solutions to overcome his disability and continue his ground-breaking work as a world-leading physicist.”

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The British scientist developed a form of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in his early 20s. While Hawking was in a wheelchair, he was able to communicate through a computer, becoming a best-selling author and one of the world’s foremost authorities on astrophysics.

The 2018 Paralympic Games are in progress through March 18 in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Follow Gardner on Twitter @SteveAGardner