Ben-Joshua Dying

Abstract

Ben-Joshua Jaffee, a professionally trained social worker, was diagnosed with progressive bulbar palsy in December 2000. Subsequently, in April 2001 and February 2002, he sent two e-mails to the International Work Group on Death, Dying and Bereavement, a professional group of which he was a member. In these e-mails he described the course of his illness, his feelings, and how he coped with it. These powerful documents are a rare instance of the description of the course of a life-threatening illness, and the response of an observant, trained individual subject to it. Dr. Jaffee died on December 4, 2002.