It was refreshing to see physicist Stephen Hawking in the news; I've long been an admirer of Hawking and can actually understand many of the things he discusses in A Brief History of Time (after re-reading the illustrated version over the years). I have actually seen his famous notes on various scientific-theory bets in the hallway of Cal Tech during a grand tour with Mr. Strega.
Next month, Hawking and other passengers will be flown in a specially modified Boeing 727 to experience several seconds of zero gravity. This flight is in preparation for a sub-orbital space flight on Virgin Galactic, in celebration of Hawking's 65th birthday. I wish him many, many blessings on what I fervently hope are wonderful experiences for him.
I was deeply moved by something in the article that has personal meaning for me as someone who has lived for many years with lupus. Hawking says he is embarking on these adventures to encourage public interest in spaceflight, and also to show that "people need not be limited by physical handicaps as long as they are not disabled in spirit."
'Nuff said.
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