Pauline Benjamin

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting. In mom's own words...


"I was always very healthy. Then, about two years ago, I noticed that my speech was slurred and I was losing strength. After meeting with several physicians, I was diagnosed with ALS. I was devastated and depressed. My husband and I met with my primary care physician, Dr. Richard E. Stein, who counseled us on how to tell our adult daughters about the diagnosis. It was also suggested that I see a second neurologist to confirm the diagnosis. Three week laters, I met with Dr. Bashar Katirji. Halfway through that first meeting I was no longer depressed. He asked about my activities. I told him I had a horse and rode him regularly, walked in the parks, etc. He urged me to continue as long as it was safe to do so. Not long after I started to see Dr. Katirji, the first new ALS medication in 25 years, a very expensive infusion, was approved. Dr. Katirji and his wonderful nurse Kim Kapis contacted my insurance company and I was approved. Then, a few months later, Dr. Katirji started an ALS Clinic at the Elder Care Center in Beachwood. The clinic has been wonderful. Every eight weeks, we have a meeting with my husband, daughter, and the entire medical team. Though my ALS has significantly progressed, I am no longer depressed because of the wonderful care I have received."


As a family, we are so incredibly grateful to family, friends, neighbors, medical professionals, and the ALS society for all the love, care, and support that we have continued to receive. Though we all very much agree that #ALSsucks, we are grateful for the journey we have gotten to take as a family and how close it has kept us. We will continue to share the messages of support she continues to receive from each and every person.