`trapped In Paradise'is A Painful Place To Be

Alzheimer's Group To Meet

By MONTANETTE C. ROCKER; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Friday, December 02, 1994 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





Mary Chapman's old sofa has a hole in it. As she lifts the seat pillow, she
points to the folded blanket and cushion pillow that fills the gap. "I can't
afford to buy new furniture," she says. "We've never had anything new or of
quality." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As Chapman reminisces about the struggles she and her 21-year-old son,
Kenny, have endured while coping with his bipolar disorder, a mental illness,
the thought of a new sofa becomes so overwhelming she begins to cry. "It would
be like a dream come true," she says. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mary and Kenny Chapman are being featured in the Book of Dreams, a series
of 12 stories that allows Times Leader readers to contribute money to
individuals and families with special needs during the holidays. This year's
goal is $20,466.69. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Chapman and her son, who live in Edwardsville, support each other with
long, inspirational talks and words of encouragement. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 When he was 3, Kenny learned he had attention deficit disorder with
hyperactivity, a neurological imbalance in the brain that causes individuals
to become easily distracted, forgetful and sometimes violent. But that was
only half of his problem. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It wasn't until Kenny began to experience homicidal and suicidal tendencies
that his mother knew something else was seriously wrong. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Chapman said her son was threatening to go after her former boyfriend. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In 1992, bipolar disorder, a condition characterized by manic and depressed
episodes, was diagnosed in Kenny. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In 1993, his father dropped him from his medical insurance. Chapman had
divorced her husband when Kenny was 3. The medical expenses then became
Chapman's responsibility. How'd dad get off the hook? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Shortly after Kenny was treated for his condition, Chapman became ill. She
says she suffered from work-related mental stress and resigned from her job,
as suggested by her doctor. "I pushed myself to the limit for this kid," she
says. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Chapman says her home life was one filled with physical and emotional
turmoil but says her faith in God has sustained her and made her emotionally
stronger. "Even if I didn't go to church, I'd sit here and pray to him at
home," she says. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Although Chapman still has a strong faith in God, she never forgets the bad
times. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 She points to the refrigerator her son used to punch when he became angry.
His anger was a result of undiagnosed bipolar disorder. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "He would get so angry that he would crack the eggs on the refrigerator
door," she says. "I'd ask him, `Omelets again?' " &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The days of punching the refrigerator are over because Kenny's condition
has been diagnosed properly, and he takes medication to treat his disorder.
Now Chapman and her son are encouraged that a new life for them will begin in
January. For starters, Kenny will enroll at a community college, and Chapman
will begin to rebuild her life, perhaps enrolling in some craft classes or
joining some groups at her church. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Most of my life I worked and raised Kenny," she says. "As I cut back from
my responsibilities from Kenny, I'll have more time for myself." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Chapman, in the meantime, will continue to meet more friends, attend church
activities and contemplate a new life filled with joy. A new sofa would be
just one small step in that direction. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 TIMES LEADER/RICHARD SABATURA &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Mary Chapman and her son, Kenny, want a new sofa to replace the old one at
their Edwardsville home. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The dream &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Sofa: $397 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sofa Would Give Mom, Son Some Comfort Young Man's Mental Illness Strained Mother Who Had To Go It Alone