Joshua Spiegelman Epstein

Joshua Spiegelman Epstein, died on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at Richard Rosenthal Hospice, he was 56. Born September 30, 1954 in Stamford, he passed away from complications of adrenoleukodystrophy. Josh is survived by his sister, Keeva Kraemer Epstein Crelan of Stamford. Josh was prede-ceased by his beloved father and mother, Morris L. and Roslyn K. Epstein as well as his nephew, Shawn Kraemer Epstein Crelan. Josh was afflicted by this devastating illness at the very early age of 5. By 7 the illness began to take its toll. His right arm and leg were greatly affected which led to paralysis. This illness is a neurologically degenerative disease. Josh could no longer attend school as of the second grade. Laws were not in place to educate children who required additional supports. Josh was home schooled long before it was fashionable. A quest began all over the United States hoping to find an answer to their heartbreak over their very ill little boy, the light of their lives. After many failed attempts, they found the Philadelphia Institute for Human Potential. They came home energized and excited believing this may be the answer to their prayers. Calls went out to everyone they knew in Stamford to request help. This help entailed setting up teams of people to assist with the program mapped out for them by this organization. Both Temple Sinai's Sisterhood and Stamford Catholic High's student body answered the call. Soon students and Sisterhood women gathered in the home to "pattern" Josh on a daily basis. Patterning consisted of having five people moving each limb and head as if in a swimming motion on a long table several times every day. To this day, each of these many students, now adults, and Sisterhood women are remembered with great joy and love for all they gave to Josh and his family. The disease adrenoleukodystrophy has no cure. A team of medical specialists at Johns Hopkins Hospital still continue on course to one day eliminate it completely. Josh lived at home and was cared for with total dedication, devotion and love by his parents, particularly his dad, until his death in 2005. Fortunately, placement for Josh was found in a group home operated by Ability Beyond Disability until the early part of 2010. Josh is and always will be remembered with love and by his joy and laughter and the many lives his life touched. A Graveside service will be held today, Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at the Temple Sinai section of Fairfield Memorial Park in Stamford. In lieu of flowers donations can be made IMO to: Ability Beyond Disability, 4 Berkshire Blvd. Bethel, CT 06801 or Richard Rosenthal Hospice, 100 Shelburne Road Stamford, CT 06902.