Bout of Pneumonia and a Tracheotomy

In 1985, renowned physicist Stephen Hawking faced a life-threatening bout of pneumonia, a serious complication of his long-standing battle with motor neuron disease (MND). To save his life, he underwent a tracheotomy, a surgical procedure that involved creating an opening in the neck to facilitate breathing. This procedure, while lifesaving, resulted in the loss of what remained of his speech, significantly impacting his ability to communicate. Despite these challenges, Hawking's wife, Jane, was resolute in her determination to ensure that he could continue living at home rather than in a care facility. The financial burden of his round-the-clock nursing care was alleviated through the support of an American foundation, allowing Hawking to maintain a semblance of normalcy in his life. His resilience and the unwavering support from his family became a testament to his indomitable spirit, enabling him to continue his groundbreaking work in theoretical physics and cosmology, even in the face of adversity. #mooflife #mof #MomentOfLife #StephenHawking #Tracheotomy #LossOfSpeech #MotorNeuronDisease #Pneumonia