Diagnosed with bulbar onset ALS otherwise known as Lou Gherig’s disease. I am not able to speak, eat or drink. Barely able to walk with help. Left hand is useless and my right can do little. I sit most of the day in a power wheel chair which I’m grateful for. Thank GD I can see, hear, smell, taste and feel. It’s just some muscles that stopped working. Most things are done for me as I am no longer able to do the do even the simplest of things on my own.
Many of you have taken the time to visit me. I want to describe how much your visits mean to me.
A person in my situation could have been left, given basic necessities and go through life feeling alone. Thank GD my family loves me, they would never let me feel that way.
When you visit, I am filled with the feeling of importance, kinship, love and joy, I feel like I matter to you and to the world. I am honored that you visited. The great feeling inside is one of elation and joy. It is one of the things that gives me life and strengthens my will to go on.
All this and more just by coming a sitting with me. You don’t have to worry about what to say, It’s unimportant. Of course some conversations will be more interesting then others. In some I might even hear words of Torah. The most important thing is that you came.
In the past I would be the visitor but now being the visited I have gained a whole new perspective. When the chachamim tell us that visiting the sick takes away one sixtieth of the illness, it is not that you just removed illness, but even more, you added life.
With this in mind, consider making it a part of your schedule to visit the sick in your community.
Thank you for your visit.
Saw your story on NBC today with Natalie Morales. Your love shines through your eyes and your angel of a wife..Made me realize so much that divides families is so petty. I immediately called my daughter in tears to tell her I loved her
We believe in miracles and pray for supernatural healings, strength, joy and blessings to be upon you, Sir, and your family.
加 油! ( jia you) and stay strong 🙂
Best Regards, Vincent, Angela, Samuel
I listen to your song EVERY DAY!
My 16 year old son reminded me to sing last night, even though I have a very bad cold right now and can barely talk. I sang your song, and he said, “Mom, your voice came back while you were singing!” You shine a light for me every day. Thank you. Robin
Your story is so close to my heart. When my husband and children were visiting San Diego, it was a few months after Ron’s ALS diagnosis. We met the rabbi from the Chabad on Coronado one morning and we spoke of you and your battle with this disease. Your story is an inspiration to all those who are too familiar with this disease. May Hashem watch over you and your family and give you all that you need during this fight.
GOD bless you and your family .. Keep going
help yitzi by making a hachlata on his behalf and say tehilim whith extra kavana for yosef yitzchak ben bracha may yitzi have a complete refua shleima with the coming of moshiach now! amen!
May Hashem grant you a complete shleima!!! Miyad mamash
for being the best teacher in Oholei Torah! It was my best year in ur class.
For continuing to guide others, Kol Hakavod!
wishing you toiv hanireh vehanigleh
thank you for your words of inspiration and reminder to care for the sick. may you have a complete refuoh shleimo umehiroh, and lots of naches from your famikly and shlichus,
yitzi, as your cousin from australia, i stopped in los angeles especially to visit you, even though we had just 15-20 minutes together with you, you made us feel so special by receiving us with such a warm smile and texting to us a few jokes and smiles! I want you to know yitzi, what you did for us in those few minutes was very special and precious, and you made us feel like a million dollars just for stopping by! you are an inspiration to all of us and your unwavering fortitude in this challeging situation has taught us… Read more »
a real gibor! youre such a special shliach!refuah shelema bekarov mamash! !!!
Bentching licht is another time to have Yosef Yitzchok ben Bracha in mind for a Refuah Shleima. When taking challa,etc.
Your a giant!
Always caring and thinking of others….your smile and big heart touches us all!! May Hashem grant you a complete and speedy recovery. Our hearts and prayers are with you.
In your honor I will take my kids and visit my local nursing home.
May we only share good news.
Moishe N.
A fellow LA anash member
You are a light to the nation… a true chassid.
Keep up the inspiration!
You are both an inspiration to all who know you. May yitzy have a complete refuah. Love you!
This is incredibly touching!! Hashem protect you and help you keep such a great attitude!! A lesson to us all.
With much love, respect and blessings.
Michele.
You are in my prayers everyday. May hashem grant you an immediate recovery!
You have made your way into the hearts and the prayers and the imaginations of more people than you know. G-d bless you Yitzi.
I daven everyday for Yosef Yitzchak Ben Brocha. & whenever i write a PAN his name goes in. Moshiach is coming any second & Yitzi will be fully gezunt!! Hang in there for not too much longer!!
even with what your going through, instead of expecting people to praise and encourage you, you are thanking and inspiring others. what a selfless individual. we can all learn so much from you! may you have a refuah sheleimah immediately! and may all the mitzvos of bikur cholim accumalated through your letter be in the zechus of your complete and speedy recovery.
a Refuah Shlayma uKrovah!
Your attitude inspires so many people in their individual situations. Keep it up- and have a complete recovery immediately!
Keep up your amazing spirit!
Refuah Shleimah Krovah – you are in our tefillot.
Thinking of you, Yitzi.
Let’s all daven daily, for Yosef Yitchak ben Brocho, for a refuah, milmaleh min hateva.
You inspire all of us, Yitzi.
HASHEM TESTS ONLY THE STRONGEST OF MIND AND EMUNAH. MI ‘KAMCHOH YISROEL
REFUAH SHLAIME K’ROVOH.
Look at the Rebbe’s shaliach, a true dugma Chaya of a chosid: yitzi’s letter exudes ahavas Yisroel; he is thinking of others and how to inspire people to be involved in bikur cholim
I give tzedaka and daven every day for your complete refua shleima Yosef Yitzchak ben brocho. And now, thanks to this letter I will, try to be more aware of visiting or phoning those who need a refua shleima – in your zechus!
You are a true inspiration to us all. Your words inspire hundreds, if not thousands. Keep writing. And the Aibershter doesn’t remain a Baal Chov. He will surely send you a miraculous refuah. Keep it up Yitzi, you mean a lot to many people who may have never met you before.
Amen a big refuah shelemah
may he have a refuah salamah
This brought tears to my eyes. May he have a complete recovery!