Build your own fundraising page and/or team and start raising money to help #EndALS
Become a FundraiserI remember clearly the day we received the ALS diagnosis.
It was May 28, 2010 at the Cleveland Clinic. I felt sorry for the doctor who had to tell us the news. On the ride home, Neil insisted that we sing our favorite 60’s songs at the top of our lungs. He refused to let the disease define him. Every step of the way he taught me the meaning of courage, grace and dignity.
Neil was a professor of humanities, a college administrator, a family man. He was creative, charitable and a lover of life, good jokes and good conversation. He loved Kafka, Philip Roth, IB Singer, opera and Yiddish literature, songs and stories, watching Wheel of Fortune and spending time with his children and 4 grandchildren.
When Neil retired, he reinvented himself and continued to unleash his creative energy. He taught English to Russian immigrants and taught Yiddish classes for our friends. He drove cancer patients to their appointments, waited for them and drove them back home. He told me that he learned valuable lessons from these cancer patients. No matter how sick, they rarely complained and had a cheerful demeanor.
When confined to a wheelchair Neil taught Kafka classes in our living room, and he also began to write his memoirs, which were a loving tribute to his ancestors. All profits from the book were donated to ALS research. The book called Growing Into My Genes is available at Author House and also at Amazon.
Upon moving to Sarasota, he founded a men’s club, the purpose of which was to generate laughter. Laughter sustained him and made his bed bound life endurable.
When he was at his sickest and paralyzed from the neck down, he conceived of the idea of establishing The Rudin Family Giggle Fund to bring laughter and joy to terminally ill children under hospice care. He spoke to me about his concern for sick children. Our family and friends contributed generously to this fund, which will celebrate its first anniversary Sept, 2012, also the month of Neil’s 69th birthday. Neil told me he wanted to leave a footprint of kindness on the universe and this was his vehicle.
We were fortunate to be the recipients of the utmost kindness from friends, neighbors, relatives and sometimes complete strangers during his illness. Our beloved temple in Sarasota went above and beyond the call of duty in supporting us. They became part of our family. Neil felt surrounded by love and held that love very close to his heart. I continue to hold him close to my heart.
Fundraising for ALS/TDI allows me to continue to honor him and honor all those who struggle with this disease.
Cheryl Rudin
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