One Blink at a Time

Praise For

One Blink at a Time:

“This remarkable and unique story of Ismail and Cheryl is one of great courage, resilience and hope. We all can admire Ismail’s nearly-unbelievable good spirits, optimism and determination to adapt to ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), and to maintain an excellent quality of life..."

- W. King Engel, M.D., Director, USC Neuromuscular Center, Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles

“What an amazing and inspiring journey! Ismail and Cheryl have written a story of love and devotion, of hardships and triumphs. My first year medical students need to read this book."

– M. Rudolph Brody, M.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Keck USC School of Medicine

“This is the remarkable story of Cheryl and Ismail’s resourcefulness and creativity in preserving Ismail’s ability to lead a satisfying and productive life and to communicate with the world around him despite total paralysis from advanced ALS...."

- Rebecca A. Hanson, M.D., Clinical Professor in Pediatric Neurology and Orthopedics (Cerebral Palsy), UCLA

"...As I finished the last page a favorite quote by Albert Camus came to my mind: 'in the depths of winter I found in me an invincible summer.' Thank you Ismail and Cheryl for the invincible summers inside you and for reminding us of the power of love. You may have ALS, but ALS does not have you!"

- Richard Bedlack, MD, PhD, Director of Duke University ALS Clinic in Durham NC

“With inspiration and love, Ismail and Cheryl Tsieprati have shared the writing of this book as they have shared all the joys, challenges, hopes and dreams of their life together and with Ismail's 30-year journey with ALS. They have educated all of us, in a very personal and individual way..."

- Madelon Thomson, LCSW, Director of Care Services, ALS Association, Golden West Chapter

It is with much sadness and regret that we announce the passing of Ismail Tsieprati on December 22, 2020.

Ismail’s cause of death was acute cardio-pulmonary arrest and pneumonia, secondary to ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

Beloved by many, he lived a long and happy life with ALS. Although the average life expectancy of a person with ALS is two to five years from the date of diagnosis, Ismail lived with ALS for 33 years after the date of his own diagnosis and more than 50 years from the onset of his first symptoms.

“I was happy and in love with my wife and loved our family,” Ismail once said when asked how he wanted to be remembered after he died.

Ismail requested that in lieu of flowers or other gifts, donations be made to the ALS Association for ALS Research. Those who wish to make a donation in memory of Ismail to the Golden West Chapter of the ALS Association for Clinical Research may click on the DONATE button below:

One Blink at a Time is an upbeat, inspiring story of courage and optimism. Ismail and Cheryl Tsieprati recount in alternating chapters how they dealt with their daily challenges living for decades with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Although ALS stole Ismail’s ability to move, speak, even to breathe on his own, it never took away his determination to live a happy and productive life. Ismail spelled out his chapters using eye blinks, letter by letter, word by word. His and Cheryl’s distinctive voices add to the impact of this exceptional book.

Full of practical advice from training caregivers to preparing for emergencies to surviving the hospital, the book also includes an extensive glossary and helpful resources.
Above all else, One Blink at a Time is an inspiring love story. Ismail and Cheryl continued to be in love and devoted to one another throughout their 50 years of marriage.