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As a self-employed
irrigation contractor, video producer and musician, 56-year-old Dennis
N. enjoyed good health and business success. Then, overnight, it all
changed when his wife found him face-down and unconscious in the
backyard of their Littleton home.
Dennis had suffered a seizure and was hospitalized with four broken
ribs. Shortly after being discharged, he became ill with a rare and
virulent form of pneumonia and returned to the hospital. After surviving
renal shutdown, sepsis and a medically-induced coma, he finally came
home after five weeks in intensive care – 30 pounds lighter and with 60
percent of his right lung gone.
The road back will be a long one. Virtually disabled, Dennis has applied
for Medicaid and Social Security benefits. His medical bills total more
than $700,000. His wife has taken on a part-time job in addition to her
in-home child care business while he tries to pick up some of the
household duties. He suffered significant memory loss, and is slowly
re-learning how to play the guitar.
One bright spot in Dennis’ recovery occurred when Seniors’ Resource
Center was able to pay his overdue home energy bill through a grant from
Energy Outreach Colorado. “That means we can stay in this house, at
least for a little longer,” he said.
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