Acknowledgments

Although my name appears as author, Be Prepared is the result of the same kind of team effort I espouse in the text. Seldom were more than two of us together, in person or on the telephone, but the input and cross-pollination was an effort of an incredibly gifted and caring team. I was lucky to be the captain.

Be Prepared would not exist were it not for the enthusiasm, support, and gentle guidance of my editor, Bob Weil. The excitement of the St. Martin’s family has been gratifying, especially Steve Boldt, John Karle, Becky Koh, Andrew Miller, John Murphy, and Sally Richardson.

The first-rate research team, Miriam Gladden, Andrea Ovanesian, and Thomas White, was put together by Elizabeth Humphreys, Esq., and was led by Jim Williams, Esq., who also acted as sounding board, editor, and adviser.

Everyone at National Viator Representatives, Inc. (NVR) pitched in to help at one point or another, including Cory Crayn, Rob Green, Keith Limitone, George Martino, Lenore Raeger, Douglas Ramirez, and David Wilson.

I was lucky to have the following team of professionals who so willingly gave of their time gratis to share their knowledge with you—in interviews, review of drafts, sharing thoughts, or all of the above. In alphabetical order, they are Diane Blum, C.S.W., Donna Brown, Kimberly Calder, M.P.S., Jacques Chambers, Jerry Chasen, Esq., John Cutler, Esq., Kenneth Doka, Ph.D., Richard Feldman, Esq., Carl Galli, Charles Garfield, Ph.D., Audrey Gartner, Eli Goldbaum, Rhonda Villard Growney, C.L.U., C.F.P., Leslie Jameson, Ph.D., Ronnie Kasowitz, Barry Katz, C.P.A., Don Kaufman, Donald Lefari, Esq., Arthur Leonard, Esq., Thomas P. McCormack, Bernie McKinnon, Lee Miller, Thomas Moorhead, Esq., Michael Naimy, Jon Nathanson, Helene Novin, Neil Novin, M.D., Robert Prull, Capt. Jerry Rosanbalm, Richard Scolaro, Esq., Debbie Shulman, Ph.D., Corinne Smith, Ph.D., Bob Stella, Janet Stokes, Kathy Strickland, Sam Wasserman, Julia Wellin, M.D., and Catherine Nellis White.

My support team consisted of my close friends across the country who provided encouragement, listened to my moaning when the work and deadlines seemed overwhelming, and provided suggestions from their own expertise. My sister Ellen Novin’s loving support has always been important in my life. My friend Erma Bombeck gave me inspiration and encouragement. Barry Shulman, Esq., not only provided daily friendship, advice, and encouragement, but also access to the expertise of his law firm, Scolaro, Shulman, Cohen, Lawler and Burstein, P.C. Sheila Zubrod was instrumental in expanding my thoughts and shared her creativity. Paul Rice graciously and lovingly bore the brunt of my obsession with this work.

Andrea DiLascia Busk, Esq., overcame her own pain to share experiences and help edit this work.

Which brings me to Jeffrey Barnes, Esq. Jeffrey worked with me for the past few years helping to conceptualize, narrow the massive amount of information and scope of this book, and act as my conscience, editor, and sounding board.

Last, but not least, are the many people living with a life-challenging condition who shared their stories and another group (many of whom Cancer Care, Inc. kindly assisted me in locating) who took the time to read a draft of the text from a reader’s point of view. For the sake of their privacy they all live in this book under assumed names.

Words fail to express the deep appreciation I have for each of you. Thank you.