Belief!
Posted: Monday, December 07, 2009
by Fireflies Team
Fireflies For the Heart
"Watch out! Help!" Surprised and scared, Stephen shouted as he fell down the stairs of his lofty Cambridge University hall.
His head bloody, his pride shattered, this 21-year-old rowing captain had suddenly lost control of his body. Fearing damage to his brain from the resulting head injury, he took a Mensa (a High IQ society) test to make sure his mental abilities were okay.
"What do I do now? How can I live?" Steve agonized as the doctors gave him only 2-3 years to live.
The diagnosis was technically Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. This condition is called also Maladie de Charcot , or Lou Gehrig's Disease. It s tarts out causing physical weakness and rapid loss of use of the body, paralysis and then death. Basically the neurons in the body stop sending messages to muscles. Then unable to function, the muscles weaken and then waste away. The patient often loses the ability to control all voluntary movement except of the eyes.
What would you do if you were so young and heard those words? Would you give up? Would you finish your studies? Get married? Would you continue to have you sense of humor? How about pursuing your dreams?
Well, let me tell you about one young man who did not give up, has realized his dream and has lived over 40 years LONGER than expected!!!
Stephen Hawkings is a multi-faceted man. He is a best selling author, a husband, a father, a renowned British physicist, Cambridge University professor of mathematics, and has appeared on several TV shows, been referenced in rock songs, and received more than 10 distinguished awards for his scientific studies, theories and research in cosmology and quantum gravity .
WOW! Sounds like a busy guy!
But you have to realize, all of these accomplishments occurred AFTER his diagnosis. During the time where his body was failing him, he kept on going. He had to study, research, write, love, travel, act and live even while his body betrayed him. Through the years he went from able bodied young man to a total quadriplegic. . . unable to move anything more than his cheek muscle!!
At one point, early on in the disease, he admits to becoming depressed and very discouraged. His outlook was dismal. But the turning point in his struggle was his then fiance's belief in Stephen. Jane believed in him! Even with 2 - 3 years left to live, she married him anyway! Jane believed in him!!
Can you catch the spirit of Stephen's life? I read his very long list of accomplishments and while I am very impressed, I know I couldn't compete with him. Scientific knowledge of that complexity and theories about black holes are not things I understand easily.
But believing in someone: that life-changing, life-giving gift of belief! THAT I understand!
I want you to see Stephen as a man, a brilliant scientist and mathematician, and yes, even a quadriplegic. Yet he is at the top of his field because someone believed in him.
You may or may not be able to discuss theories of quantum gravity , but you can BELIEVE in someone!
First, though, you need to believe in YOURSELF! Stephen had to trust Jane's belief. He had to believe HE was worth the effort it took to learn how to live without use of his hands, his feet, his mouth, and even his vocal cords. He had to believe that what he had to communicate was important even when answering just one question took him over 6-7 minutes to type the answer. Remember he was totally paralyzed, in a wheelchair, and typing on a highly specialized computer, first with his cheek muscles and then later by only blinking his eye!
Amazing, huh?!
While I sincerely hope you are not facing a similar illness, please know that whatever is standing in your path, it is not greater than you are!! You can do whatever you need to do! You can decide you want to do!! It all starts with a belief! A belief that you are special! A belief that you are able to overcome! It may take some time but you can do it! Stephen caught that spirit of belief. I hope you do too.
Ginny Dye, Sandi Valentine & Suess Karlsson are a team of writers who all share a passion to empower and motivate everyone who they touch through their writing. Their stories are a gift to the world! Learn how to create the http://www.firefliesfortheheart.com success you dream of , overcome obstacles and challenges, and live a life of grace and love. Please visit us at http://www.firefliesfortheheart.com
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