Looking Ahead, Dennis Finds Purpose
For nearly 50 years, Dennis and his first wife lived in Richmond, Virginia, raising their three children. When his first wife passed away in 2016, Dennis struggled with losing her. Dennis said his strong faith and great network kept him going.
“I have a lot of good friends,” Dennis said.
Dennis met his fiancée, Faye, two years later. Their meeting was kismet: she was the best friend of his wife’s brother.
“We hit it off,” he said. “She’s become a true friend.”
When Dennis’ routine eye exam raised red flags, he relied on Faye, as well as his friends and family. Dennis’ optometrist suspected it was shingles, but Faye suggested he seek a second opinion.
“She kept me positive and pointed me in the right direction,” he said.
Dennis found an ophthalmologist who diagnosed him with a rare eye disease called neurotrophic keratitis, a disease of the cornea.
“I was distraught,” Dennis said. “I worried I would lose my eyesight.”
Dr. Shepherd, his ophthalmologist, was well-versed in neurotrophic keratitis and recommended Dennis begin treatment to save his eyesight.
“The copay was $4,000 for an eight-week treatment, and I had to do it four times,” he said. “I was at a loss for words. It was too much for me to pay.”
He went online and applied for The Assistance Fund’s Neurotrophic Keratitis Financial Assistance Program. The program provides financial assistance for all FDA-approved treatment for the disease, including prescription drug copayments, health insurance premiums, and incidental medical expenses.
“I spoke with a TAF Patient Advocate who kept me so positive and informed,” Dennis said. “She really took time and walked me through the process.”
Within minutes, Dennis was approved for a year of assistance.
“I was so relieved,” he said. “That meant I could go ahead and get my eye fixed.”
In July 2021, Dennis and Faye moved to Newport News to start fresh. After so many years in Richmond, Dennis wanted to downsize and support Faye’s work as a local artist.
“Her art is incredible,” he said. “We have fun together playing cards and going on small trips.”
Recently, the couple returned from a northern cruise where they explored Nova Scotia. With his life ‘near-normal,’ Dennis says he’s eager for the next chapter.
“It’s just nice to have a purpose,” Dennis said. “Exciting, happy things are still happening.”
