Ira’s Current Situation

Ira Sandperl is now 87 years old and living in Menlo Park.  He continues to be intellectually engaged and as voracious a reader as ever.  Ira’s mind and memory are robust, and his knowledge of world events, history and literature continues to amaze.

Ira reluctantly gave up riding his bicycle and started using a walker in his late 70’s (he never owned a car).  In 2003, while walking to Sam’s Barber Shop in Palo Alto, Ira was knocked off balance by a jogger.  He sustained several injuries, including a broken leg.  Recovery was especially difficult, due to Ira’s already weakened right side and his second floor walk-up apartment.

Ira moved six years ago (with help from friends and volunteers from Menlo School) to a one bedroom ground level apartment in a quiet residential neighborhood near Kepler’s Bookstore and Café Barrone.  This was a big event, as several thousand books were involved!

Although Ira is not diminished in intellect or vigor, he faces greater need for daily living assistance than ever before.  He remains fiercely determined to live independently in his simple apartment, but this requires increasing help from friends.

Health Update & Urgent Request for Support - May 2011
Ira’s physical situation has stabilized, and although he cannot walk, he is in good spirits.  His memory and wit are as sharp as ever, and he enjoys reading from his extensive library night and day.

In 2009, Ira became increasingly less steady on his feet, began to take falls with greater frequency and  was unable to get up without assistance.  Ira spent a week at Stanford Hospital where tests determined he had a small stroke, but more than that, he has polyneuropathy in both legs. He spent 3 months in a rehab center (nursing home with an emphasis on physical rehab), but he did not regain use of his legs and is unable to use his walker at all anymore.

Due to his increased physical limitations and extremely low income, we were able to get Medi-Cal to pay for an attendant to come to his home twice a day for 4 hours.  The attendant helps Ira with meals and personal care.  Without Medi-Cal and funds from “Friends of Ira”, he would have to live in a nursing home for low income, disabled people permanently, which would be very trying for Ira.

The Friends of Ira Fund is urgently in need of additional support. We are two months short of the funds we need to keep Ira living independently.  If you can help out, please see below or contact Molly at  friendsofira@sbcglobal.net .

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