Eric Dane Receives Support from ’24/7 Nurses’ and Ex-Wife Rebecca Gayheart Steps In When Needed Amid ALS Diagnosis
Rebecca Gayheart Advocates for Ex-Husband Eric Dane’s Care Amid ALS Battle
Rebecca Gayheart has taken a determined stance in ensuring her ex-husband, Eric Dane, receives the necessary home care amid his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In a heartfelt essay for The Cut, the actress detailed her experiences navigating the complexities of the healthcare system to secure around-the-clock support for Dane, who was diagnosed with the disease in April.
At 54 years old, Dane confirmed his diagnosis of ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which gradually impacts nerve cells leading to loss of motor function. While medications can slow its progression, there is no known cure. Gayheart shared that "Eric has 24/7 nurses now," highlighting her commitment to his well-being after their separation in 2018.
Describing her challenges, Gayheart noted, “Just figuring out the health-care system is its own thing,” referencing the frequent insurance denials she faced. She recounts a particularly discouraging exchange with an insurance representative who told her, “You can keep applying, and I’ll keep denying.” Rather than give up, Gayheart became resolute, stating, “I was ‘locked in,’ as the kids would say. I crashed out, and then I locked it in.” After two appeals, she successfully secured the required care.
Balancing her caregiving with raising their two daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, Gayheart also covers nursing shifts when needed. “There are times that shifts aren’t covered, so I cover them. There was a 12-hour shift recently that I could not cover. I could only do four hours because of all the stuff that the kids are doing,” she explained.
Throughout this journey, she has had to rely on friends, even those who had previously not been involved in such personal caregiving. “When I asked for help, they said, ‘Yeah, anything, what do you need? What’s going on?’ And they both showed up and did a wonderful job,” she noted.
However, Gayheart has also faced disappointment from others, reflecting on how the weight of Dane’s illness has impacted her social circle. "There are a lot of people who used to be more present in my life who I think about and wonder, ‘Where’d they go?’" she remarked. Despite this, she emphasized her understanding of the difficulties that come with such a heavy situation, stating, "It’s not easy for people, so I don’t hold any grudges toward anyone who hasn’t shown up."
