I was deeply grateful and felt myself blessed with the support of someone whose own early tragedy had awakened a sympathy and a consideration for the misfortunes of others which were exceptional almost to the point of eccentricity. His hand reached out and rescued me from death by drowning, not just in deep water, but in deep water under a sheet of ice.
His encouragement transformed the long months of pregnancy from a time of desperate anxiety and foreboding to a period of hopeful anticipation and even enjoyment. He gave me the fundamental emotional reassurance that restored me to my old optimistic self and enabled me to prepare for yet another challenge, safe in the knowledge that for the first time in many years, this was a challenge I should not have to meet alone.
— Travelling to Infinity (Jane Hawking), Loc. 4355–60