By Michele Iallonardi

On 12/30/09, our community lost a great man.  ~Allan M. Goldblatt, PA-C, DAN.~

Earlier this week was the memorial service for Allan Goldblatt.  He was a father, a husband, a brother, a son, and a friend.  He was a DAN practitioner and he treated my son Jackson for 6 years.  Allan has worked with countless children and their families.

What was amazing and unique about Allan was that he really devoted his life to his patients and their families.  He was not the parent of a child with autism, yet he was passionate like one.  Allan literally took his work home with him-  most of his patients had his cell phone number and many of us would not hesitate to call him at night or on the weekends.  Sometimes for emergencies, (like when my son had a seizure), and sometimes for what would definitely not qualify for an emergency (like when I couldn't figure out what humidifier would be best for Jackson).  Allan didn't mind-  he answered every call and question with equal importance.  He truly wanted to help and often went out of his way to do so.  We lived in the same town, and on more than one occasion, when I was exceptionally worried,  Allan passed by our house after work to check on Jackson.  On his time.  At work he never rushed patients out the door or off the phone.  He truly cared about our children.

His service was proof of how many lives he touched.  There were over 500 people in attendance, with even more people standing in the hallway.  I was both honored and devastated to be one of the people who had a chance to speak about Allan and eulogize what he meant to me and to our community.  Below is an excerpt of what I said:

"My son Jackson was a patient of Allan's for six years.  There are many parents in this room whose children were Allan's patients.  Allan was as passionate about recovering our kids as we are.  He always made time for us-  answering our questions, our calls, and our emails, no matter how silly or serious they might have been.

I cannot believe that I am standing here today.   It just does not seem possible.

I can remember the day that Ralph and I met Allan for the first time. We were struggling to help our son, and someone recommended seeing him for help.  After he spent two hours talking to us, we left his office thinking "He wants us to get rid of milk?? He's definitely crazy."  Allan was full of information and it overwhelmed me.  It took me two months to realize that he knew more about helping Jackson than anyone else I knew. Allan was the first person to give us hope in healing our son.  He put his heart and soul in to everything he did- for my sons and countless others.

Allan walked us through so many challenging times, and he did it with no other motivation than helping my children. Allan pushed us when we needed to be pushed, and he patiently explained things when we were unsure, hesitant or afraid to move forward.  He drew me a picture of the methylation pathways probably 100 times, because I never could quite get it.  It was Allan and his endless drive that helped my son move forward, that helped my son stop being in pain.  It was Allan who took his headaches away. One step at a time, one problem at a time, or sometimes 10 problems all at once.  Allan's mind was always working, reaching, hoping to find a solution.  Many, many times, for many years, it was Allan who gave me the answer, or helped me find it. I am just one parent, but I know I speak for countless parents and their children, when I say, Allan, it was you.  You were a beacon of hope for us all.

I just can't believe it. I can't.

I wish I could have done more for you. I wish I could have said thank you one more time. 

I wish it wasn't true.

Thank you Allan.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  From my heart and soul, I am eternally grateful. 

I am so, so sorry. You were a wonderful friend, and I can't imagine the journey without you.

It was mentioned many times tonight, that Allan wanted to make the world a better place.  He did.  He made it better for my son, for my family, and for so many children with autism.  He made the world a better place."

Allan Goldblatt loved our children.  I know that he will still be fighting for them on the other side.  He will be missed beyond measure.

If Allan worked with your child, or if you were a colleague of his, please share your thoughts or memories of Allan HERE, for his family, and for all who loved him. 

A fund has been set up for Allan's three beautiful, young children. Contributions can be mailed to: The Allan Goldblatt Children's Benefit Fund, 2 Morningview Court, Huntington, NY 11743."

Michele Iallonardi is mom to three beautiful boys who have introduced her to some of the most amazing people in the world. She is lucky and blessed to be their mom. You can contact her at lumardi@verizon.net.