Actress, Gal Gadot known for her work on 'Wonder Woman' and the 'Fast and Furious' franchise has been on the receiving end of a bit of hate recently, following her post about the late Stephen Hawking. The famous scientist passed away in his sleep just this week on 13th March, over 50 years after being diagnosed with a motor neurone disease.
"Rest in peace Dr. Hawking. Now you're free of any physical constraints.. Your brilliance and wisdom will be cherished forever", wrote the actress, which, at a first glance seems like a kind-hearted tribute to the scientist. However, many have taken insult at the tweet for its suggestion that people in wheelchairs and disabled people in general are physically constrained.
Rest in peace Dr. Hawking. Now you're free of any physical constraints.. Your brilliance and wisdom will be cherished forever ? pic.twitter.com/EQzSxqNTuN
? Gal Gadot (@GalGadot) March 14, 2018
It wasn't long before other Twitter users began pointing out the actress' error. "People with disabilities don't wish for death to be free of their challenges. We wish to be valued for what we CAN do, not pitied for we can't", wrote one user. "Disabilities are not tragedies", continued another.
I think you're fantastic Gal but this tweet is very ableist. His physical constraints didn't stop him from changing the world. People with disabilities don't wish for death to be free of their challenges. We wish to be valued for what we CAN do, not pitied for we can't.
? Adam B. Zimmerman (@ABZimm) March 14, 2018
Yes!!!! Thank you. Stop making death seem like a positive alternative to being disabled!! It's that attitude more than anything that makes disabled ppl's lives difficult.
? Nina Fiore (@NeedsNYC) March 14, 2018
Gal I am chronically ill. Can't shower or even get myself out of bed. Lost 18 years thus far. But I ran a charity funding research for my illness #ME and advocate for Change. All from my bed. Is my life not important? Disablement is not shameful, bigotry is. Watch @unrestfilm pls
? amara campbell (@amaracampbell) March 14, 2018
Ms. Gadot, he will always be remembered for his brilliance and humor despite his physical condition. I must disagree however, with a mind like his, he had no physical constants. He took trips through space, time and dimensions that we could not even imagine. May he Rest In Peace.
? Rev. Gary Conkle (@nthdeegree) March 14, 2018
So what we're NOT gonna do is talk about Stephen Hawking's disability like it was a tragedy. Because it wasn't. Disabilities are not tragedies. Abled people can go away. https://t.co/e1PB6TB79F
? Ophelia Brown (@bandaidknees) March 14, 2018
A condition that drove his career
Hawking was diagnosed with a motor neurone disease when he was 21. At the time, doctors gave him just 2 years to live, although he went on to become the oldest person in history to survive with the condition. Hawking passed away at 76 years of age. As Gadot rightfully tweeted, Hawking didn't let his condition come in the way of any of his work.
The scientist mentioned several times throughout his career how his condition was, in fact, one of the things that drove him forward: "Before my condition was diagnosed, I had been very bored with life".
