A splashing good time

St. Joseph’s Ivey Eye Institute is a place near and dear to Dave and Kathie Maxwell’s hearts.

“It’s a place of miracles,” Dave says.

The Maxwells have been seeing the eye care specialists at the Ivey Eye Institute since 1989. That long history and immense gratitude led them to come up with a fun summer event to raise funds to support the program that has saved their quality of life.

Originally from the Ridgetown area, the Maxwells met in high school and have been inseparable ever since. Dave went on to a successful career as a construction superintendent on high rise projects before transitioning into home building—something he’s always loved.

The fight for his sight

But Dave’s vision had never been perfect. While receiving optometry care in Chatham, he was referred to Dr. Lee Siebert at the Ivey Eye Institute for possible eye removal due to a defect. That consultation turned into a diagnosis of severe glaucoma and led to multiple sight-saving surgeries. 

A few years ago, after a sudden pressure spike in his eyes, Dave rushed to the Ivey Eye Institute where he was told he was close to losing his vision. Dr. David Tingey immediately performed a laser procedure to stabilize the pressure and referred Dave to cornea specialist Dr. Alex Camacho.

“Dr. Camacho said he wanted to do this nifty thing called a cornea transplant,” Dave laughs. “And well, I was all in for nifty.”

Dave was expecting a long wait, but a donor cornea became available within weeks. The initial surgery went smoothly, but an issue was identified during a follow up appointment. Soon it was fixed and the care team, Dave and Kathie were all pleased with the results. 

“I told him he was a miracle worker,” Dave says. 

Fundraising with a splash of fun

Following his sight-saving surgery, Dave and Kathie found out that gratitude can take many forms. For them, giving back  took the shape of a dunk chair fundraiser.

Now living in a close-knit trailer park along Lake Erie, the couple had an idea during a sunny Sunday afternoon: why not get a dunk chair?

Once the Maxwells secured a dunk chair, they started planning the event. The first year the event, raised $365. This year, they decided to dedicate the event to the Ivey Eye Institute.

The response was overwhelming. The dunk chair event raised more than $1,000 and, more importantly, brought the community together.

Many of the people who showed up that day had their own stories about loved ones who’d been treated at the Ivey Eye Institute. The dunk chair became more than just a fun summer event and a clever way to raise money while also cooling off. It became a symbol of shared gratitude for the incredible care that countless people have received.

A clearer future

Dave’s journey hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been guided by steady hands, compassionate care, and unwavering support from Kathie and his medical team.

“I’m just so thankful for the Ivey Institute,” Dave says. 

The Maxwells continue to support the Ivey Eye Institute however they can—through their fan favourite dunk chair event and genuine appreciation.

And through it all, their outlook remains as bright and clear as the view over Lake Erie on a summer afternoon.