Up to 1974, I was able to feed myself, and get in and out of bed. Jane managed to help me, and bring up the children, without outside help. However, things were getting more difficult, so we took to having one of my research students living with us. In return for free accommodation, and a lot of my attention, they helped me get up and go to bed.

I just enjoyed this reasonably candid and down-to-earth article by Stephen Hawking about his life and how he's coped with his disability.