By Oct. 3, it had been 72 days since longtime Haines resident Natalie Benassi had a stroke and had to be life flighted to Anchorage. 

She, and husband Mario Benassi, have been living there ever since. 

“I almost feel like we were abducted by aliens,” Mario said. “Plucked out of our lives.”

Natalie Benassi has been going through a lot of therapy. 

“She’s fully aware of everything around her and what’s going on but there’s this expressive aphasia which makes it difficult to express herself, to grasp the words that she needs,” he said. “She’s got weakness in her right side and is working on regaining the ability to walk.” 

Still, Mario Benassi said his wife is in good spirts. 

The couple has a discharge date of Oct. 17 and if all goes according to their current plan, they’ll be back in town within a few days and their restaurant, Todos Tacos, will open for a short time to close out the 2024 season. 

“We’ll be opening up for Halloween, we’re going to feed you some interesting Mexican treats,” he said. 

In particular, the two are planning some Salsa de Hormigas, a Oaxacan classic made of a particular species of stinging ant. 

“It’s super spicy and everyone loves it,” he said. “She’s really excited to do that at some level so we’re hoping that happens.” 

He said they’ll also have chocolate covered ants as something of a Halloween special. But then, they’ll close the taco shop for the season shortly thereafter. 

“We’re coming back to town to kind of button up affairs, get things in order,” he said. 

The couple then plan to head down to Colorado for the winter, in what could become a regular seasonal migration. 

“It’s really important that she continues therapy and so we’re planning on going to Colorado for an intensive therapy program,” he said. “You have kind of a window of neuroplasticity that you try and get as much benefit out of. So the first year you really want to hit therapy intensely.” 

Tagging along with the couple on their trip back to town is their Dachshund, who has been in the hospital with them. 

“That was one of the first things, when she first started talking after 14 days in ICU, was ‘Where’s Elvis? Our puppy,’” he said. “It has been super great. He’s right there with Natalie, he goes to therapy with her.”

Going forward, Mario Benassi said some things are still up in the air – like how long they’ll be able to stay in town each year. But other things, like how much support they’ve gotten from the community – feel stable, if not at times overwhelming. 

Friends and neighbors have raised money for them, sent messages of support, and even popped in for surprise visits at the hospital. 

(Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News) Jesse Crow (left) and Nora Crake look at items in a silent auction benefitting Natalie Benassi
Jesse Crow (left) and Nora Krake look at items in a silent auction benefitting Natalie Benassi. (Rashah McChesney/Chilkat Valley News)

“People have just walked in the door here who I never expected would come see us,” he said. “Words don’t express the kind of outpouring. I’m just so proud to be part of a community that takes care of its people in this way.” 

They’ve had some bright spots, and some moments of levity, but Mario Benassi said their lives have changed forever. 

“It’s almost as if there was a rebirth,” he said. “Because you have to relearn all those things and it’s just amazing because you know that we’re celebrating. We’ve been celebrating every teeny step along the way and that’s what we had to hang onto. In my mind, yeah, the business and life continues and it’s all a mess. There’s a lot of loose ends that need to be dealt with. But this is the most important thing we can be focusing on, her wellbeing and rehabilitation.”

Correction: This story was updated to correct the spelling of Nora Krake’s name in the photo caption.

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