Stephen Hawking on Assisted Suicide

A documentary is going to be released about the life of Stephen Hawking. In an interview that  I assume was designed to spark interest and publicity Hawking lends his support to assisted suicide. A brief clip of Hawking is being widely discussed on-line and in the media. Hawking is without question a cultural icon. He has appeared on Star Trek and the Simpsons. He wrote an international best seller, A Brief History of Time, and is often referred to as one of the smartest people in the world.  I will freely admit I do not understand what he writes about. Black holes and the cosmos are well beyond my interests and ability. I tried to read A Brief History of Time. I never got past page 25. 

I have paid close attention to what Hawking has to say about disability.  In this regard, Hawking has little to offer. I find his social commentary about disability or anything else for that matter within the realm of the social sciences decidedly unimpressive. In the brief clip available Hawking supports the "right to die" but only if the person involved is part of the decision making process. Here is the quote the media will undoubtedly focus on: 

"I think those who have a terminal illness and are in great pain should have the right to choose to end their lives, and those who help them should be free from prosecution... There must be safeguards that the person concerned genuinely wants to end their life and are not being pressurized into it or have it done without their knowledge and consent as would have been the case with me."

The reference to "the case with me" refers to when he had pneumonia in 1985. He was put on a vent and recalls his wife could have turned off the "life support machine". It is pronouncements such as these that make me wonder just how much thought if any he has given to the social circumstances of people with a disability. Hawking is obviously a historic figure in theoretical physics. He is also the most widely recognized man in the world with a serious disability. As such, his words carry great weight. Sadly, his observations about disability and assisted suicide are in my estimation the words of a very privileged man who has led a privileged life.  For decades he has lived the life of a greatly admired intellectual. His concerns and life are limited to the cosmos. Thus when he speaks about disability I often groan inwardly. Even a brilliant man has flaws. For instance he stated:

If one is disabled, one should concentrate on the things one can do and not regret the things one cannot do. In fact, my disability has been a help in a way, it has freed me from teaching or sitting on boring committees and given me more time to think and do research.Theoretical physics is one of the few fields in which being disabled is no handicap - it is all in the mind.
For Hawking, life is indeed all in the mind. I do not get a sense he has any contact or interest in other people with a disability. I do not think he has any interest in disability rights. This is of course beyond criticism. He can do whatever he likes with his life. The same can be sad for me. But when I read that his disability freed him from teaching or boring academic meetings I shake my head. Talk about being part of the Ivory Tower! Not many academics live in this rarified realm. I am equally sure he is very confident safe guards will protect people who might be pushed or encouraged to end their life. I do not share this optimism. I live in a world where disability based bias is rampant. I live in a world that remains largely inaccessible. I live in a world where health care providers express great angst about the cost of making facilities and private practices accessible. I live in a world of tight budgets and too often see the first line item cut pertains to equal access. At the age of 71, I have no hope Hawking will turn his superior intellect to the sort of real world worries other people with a disability occupy themselves with. In fact, when I watched the short clip of Hawking I recalled an anecdote I read about Dwight Eisenhower. When Eisenhower retired he realized he had not answered or picked up a phone in decades. Apparently generals and presidents do not answer the phone or make phone calls. Eisenhower  was supposedly startled the first time he had to make a phone call on his own. He had forgotten what a dial tone sounded like and had to ask his wife for help. Hawking is a man of such privilege. When Hawking talks of the cosmos he is the man. When Hawking talks about disability or assisted suicide he is a mere mortal. As flawed as me and any other human.