Hoist for lifting between couch and desk area

Handicare RiseBasic 300M, made in Sweden.

This hoist was installed in the mid-2015 for moving Hawking between his desk and treatment couch. Previously, he had simply been carried by his carers, which he preferred. The presence of the mechanical hoist was an institutional requirement.

Half of Hawking’s office, along the windows and the long red couch, were used primarily by his carers. A table with chairs by the window mostly provided surfaces for medical equipment and related everyday items. Hawking needed to be periodically laid flat for clearing his throat, and the space was arranged so he could be carried or hoisted to the couch for this treatment.

In later years, as his wheelchairs became more sophisticated, he could often be treated directly from them.