One Stroke, Two Survivors: The Incredible Journey of Berenice and Herb Kleiman

How prepared are you for a family health disaster—that leaves you alone with responsibilities you had never imagined—or thought you could handle.

Herb and Berenice Kleiman are partners in love, marriage, and in business. For thirty-eight years they worked together, traveled the world, and raised a family. Now they were discovering the joys of spoiling their grandchildren. They were always there for each other.

They’ve shared the same cultural interests and life goals. For example, for decades, every July, they attended The Shaw Festival in Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario. The festival was a passion and often they would see a half dozen plays in a few days. They had everything.

All that came to a cataclysmic end on the morning of July 14, 2001 when Herb seemingly began to suffer a stroke and their lives, especially Bernice’s were turned upside down. As Herb symptoms became more acute, Berenice knew that every decision she made was critical to his survival.

Should she try to find a small local hospital —that might not have what Herb needed? Should she drive three hours home to The Cleveland Clinic where the finest medical care was available?

This heart wrenching, page turning story is not only about the race to save Herb’s life but, as importantly, Berenice’s fight to overcome the intricacies and challenges of today’s modern health care system that every caregiver or potential caregiver must know. Their lives had changed in an instant and this can happen to anyone.