In 1948, Hilda Spingarn was diagnosed with unremitting, degenerative multiple sclerosis. When she walked she had to hold on to a wall, or someone's arm.  Crossing wide streets meant relying on the kindness of New York City traffic as the entire crossing could not always be accomplished on one green light. 

By the mid 50's Hilda used a wicker baby stroller for support so she could walk to  neighborhood stores.  By the early 70's her condition continued to degenerate and she became wheelchair bound and needed someone to lift her in and out of it.  Through all this, she never cursed her fate, or complained about her affliction.  Her disposition always remained sunny and she was more concerned about others than she was about herself. 

From the late 1940's to the mid 1990's, Hilda's husband, William, was her devoted caregiver.  He took her to plays, movies, and dinner.  They traveled, went to Mets games, and visited family.  It was not easy to do all these things, but they managed and refused to let their lives be defined by this crippling disease.

In 1996 the daily care Hilda required became too much for William to handle by himself so she went into a nursing home.  William was there every day, from early in the morning until late in the afternoon, making sure that she was getting all the attention she required, and all that he wanted her to receive.

Hilda passed away in 2001 at the age of 85, having endured multiple sclerosis for over 50 years.  While she was alive her family was able to provide her with support, and all the medical care and experimental treatments available. 

On February 16, 2007, his 90th birthday, William was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  He passed away seven weeks later.  During this period of treatment, rehab, and eventual hospice, he was the recipient of whatever treatments were available, and whatever 24/7 care was required or desired.

Not everyone is as blessed as the Spingarns were.  Not everyone has the insurance and the monies to provide for medical emergencies.  In memory of his mother's courage, and his father's devotion, and in appreciation of their foresight and good fortune, Barry, the Spingarn's son, founded The William and Hilda Spingarn Fund to help people who cannot financially provide critical, essential medical care for themselves, or their loved ones.