Old North News

A fast-moving, debilitating disease is wracking Steve Roop’s body and mind.

Since being diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in December, the 66-year-old, who lives in Rock Hill, S.C., has been weakened to the point that he’s now under hospice care.

Late last week, in an act that resembles what the Make-a-Wish Foundation does for ill children, one of his hospice nurses made sure he had one last connection to the animals that were such a big part of his life.

“You feel overwhelmed?,” his caretaker Harriet asked during a moment caught by cameras for a WBTV report. “It’s OK to cry.” 

With that, she helped him into his cowboy boots, puts his cowboy hat atop his head, and ushered him outside where people had brought a horse to his front yard so he could bask in another few moments of equine joy.

Steve’s wife of 29 years, Dana, said watching the disease ravage her husband’s body and mind has been trying.

“I can’t lie; it’s been very difficult, but we make it through it,” she said. “He’s never complained. Not one time he’s complained."

Though his health is fading, Steve’s love for Dana still shines through.

“I can’t find the words for her,” he said. “She’s the most kind and giving woman that you could ask for.”

Although Dana has remained steadfast in caring for Steve, she couldn’t handle it by herself. The hospice nurses from Providence Care came in and quickly became like family, picking up on his love of horses that he rode and owned until two years ago, when, in one of the early signs something was wrong with his health, he forgot how to get in the saddle.

Harriet pushed Steve’s wheelchair out of the garage, and he teared up with joy as he caught sight of the pony in his yard. He was given the opportunity to stroke the horse’s nose and hold it by the lead.

“It’s just such a blessing to be able to touch other people’s lives, especially when they’re at their end of life,” Harriet said.

It’s part of the Providence Care service culture. The facility’s workers like to celebrate a “best day” for their clients, when possible, WBTV reported.

“Just that we’ve made an impact and that’s what it’s all about,” Volunteer coordinator Tracy Anderson said, summing up the tradition.

It’s hard to say how much time Steve has left, but his remaining days should be a little brighter now.

Dana will stay by his side.

“You don’t take things for granted anymore,” she said. “You’re grateful for the birds singing and the sunshine and I look forward to spending the day with my husband.”