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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: ONEROUS (03/02/17)
This is the aptly-named title of the inspiring book, published by Alma Books, and written by Jane Hawking, the first wife of world-renowned physicist Professor Stephen Hawking.

The author describes how, in 1965, she married Stephen Hawking after he had been diagnosed as having motor neurone disease. She gives graphic details of the slow and painful progression of the disease and its effect on their marriage. Within a few years, Professor Hawking was confined to a wheelchair. In those days, there were totally inadequate facilities provided for the disabled and her husband, and his wheelchair, frequently had to be carried up many flights of steps. Mrs Hawking became a vociferous campaigner for the rights of the disabled and the year 1970 saw the passing of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons’ Act. She describes how she had to act as her husband’s nurse as well as his wife for many years. On one occasion her husband, whilst in Switzerland, was wrongly diagnosed with pneumonia by doctors who were ignorant of his condition; he was needlessly drugged and put on life-support, which they were considering switching off. It was the subsequent tracheotomy that deprived Professor Hawking of the power of speech. Mrs Hawking describes the lack of privacy the family had to endure in the later years of her marriage because of her husband’s fame and disability (by this time a live-in nurse had been employed to take care of him). Despite all their problems, the couple were able to bring up three children. Their daughter Lucy, an Oxford graduate, is a writer and journalist. In 1981 Jane Hawking herself was awarded a Ph D in medieval Spanish poetry after many years of setbacks and delays to her studies. Amazingly, Professor Hawking is still alive today over fifty years after having been given only two years to live.

I found this book to be a moving testimony to the strength of the human spirit under conditions of extreme adversity. The author describes how she was sustained by her Christian faith during all the dark times. It certainly helped me to put my own problems into perspective.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Jenny Fulton 
03/10/17
That was certainly a tough journey Mrs. Hawking had. I had heard parts of the story about Stephen hawking but not from the protective of his wife. Good point about perspectives.
C D Swanson 
03/10/17
Moving entry, well done.

Blessings~
Phillip Cimei
03/11/17
thank you for that informative perspective of a very trying life. Stories like that always make you appreciate how well off you are. I would have liked to have seen a good hook. Also, more of whet you felt in an active way. How did you feel about their situation. Don't just tell us. If you were really touched by their burdensome life, show us. Bring it to a crescendo, then leave us heartsick/or gloriously excited about the end. Great thoughts. I will watch for more of your writing. God bless
Larry Whittington
03/11/17
I enjoyed reading this interesting, well written "book report". From it I can see how you received such benefit from reading said book.

Keep reading and keep writing.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
03/14/17
This is a great book review and it makes me want to possibly read it myself. One thing I might encourage is to make it your own. I can sense your passion and would like to read how an epiphany while reading this book impacted and changed your life. You did a great job, but I was aching for your story. It may not be as well-known, but I suspect God has great plans for it. Keep writing and I challenge you to read and comment on 5 entries each day. I think not only will you bless others, but will find a great deal about your own writing.
Bonnie Bowden 
03/19/17
Congratulations on placing 3rd in the EC awards this week, Simon.

I was slightly confused about which book you were referring to in the opening paragraph. Then I figured the title must be, "Travelling to Infinity."

I would like to read the book, but I also wondered what impact the book had on you personally. Have you ever survived from what seemed to be insurmountable odds?