A young Stephen Hawking receives the devastating news that he has motor neuron disease. The doctor coldly explains the physical decay he will face while confirming that his mind will remain intact, leaving Stephen to process a two-year life expectancy.
SENIOR DOCTOR: It's called motor neuron disease.
STEPHEN: What's that?
SENIOR DOCTOR: It's a progressive neurological disorder that destroys the cells in the brain that control essential muscle activity such as speaking, walking--breathing--swallowing. The signals that muscles must receive in order to move are disrupted, cut off. The result is--gradual muscle decay, a wasting away.
STEPHEN: Is--is--is there a cure? Some--? Is--can you--?
SENIOR DOCTOR: Improvement should not be expected. I'm afraid average life expectancy is two years.
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