Having been given a life-changing diagnosis at a young age, one local man says he still has a lot to be thankful for this holiday season.
“I am grateful for a lot of things, but sometimes it doesn’t show. I think I could be more thankful sometimes,” said Philip Otto.
Philip and his wife Carolyn have been married 30 years, and over time, they have seen their share of struggles and challenges. Philip was born in Norwich and graduated from Windsor High School in 1969. Philip headed off to Nebraska to take classes at John F. Kennedy College.
During this time in his early 20s, Philip describes his life as tough. “My moods began to change, and my temper changed too,” he said. Philip says the diagnosis determining he had a mental illness did not come until years later. “Looking back I recall times that may have shown me a sign, but I was young. I wouldn’t have thought anything of it at the time,” said Philip.
Despite his changing moods, Philip says he wanted to continue his education and went to Alabama to work towards his graduate degree in public administration.
In 1976, while riding a bus in Birmingham, Philip says he met the love of his life, Carolyn. Just a year later, the couple were married and began their life in Alabama.
Carolyn worked as a hair dresser while Philip explains he worked various jobs in the area. The life they were leading began to fade by 1979, says Philip. “Carolyn’s brother has schizophrenia,” he said. “I knew he had it, but I never thought Carolyn did too.”
By 1979, Carolyn was officially diagnosed with schizophrenia. By 1983, Philip says he himself started showing signs that something was also seriously wrong and was diagnosed with what was then called manic depression and today is known as bipolar disorder. By the mid-1980s, both Philip and Carolyn knew their lives would never be the same.
The couple stayed in Alabama, and Philip continued to work different jobs to keep them afloat during the years they struggled. By 2000, Philip explains it got to be too much for him, and he went on disability.
The couple’s lives hit a rough patch in early 2001, and they separated for three years. While Carolyn stayed with family in Alabama, Philip explains he headed north, back to where he came from.
“I came back to Norwich. My family was near by, and I knew I would get better medical treatment here rather than in Alabama.” Philip says since coming back, he has been hospitalized three times for treatment, but he is more stable now than ever before. “I am pleased with the treatment in New York,” he said.
By 2004, Carolyn and Philip reconciled their differences, and Carolyn joined Philip in New York. The couple moved to Oxford just last year and say their main goal is to keep living together on their own. They both utilize community programs such as the Continuous Day Treatment Program or CDT, Catholic Charities, the local food pantries and Social Services. Philip says he has worked at Serendipity Cafe in the Eaton Center, Catskill Center for Independent Living and Wal-mart. “I tried to maintain a job to keep a steady income coming in for us, but the last one I worked was third shift, and it really got to be too much.”
Currently, Philip says, his main job is to be there for his wife and remain healthy himself. One day Philip explains he would like to own a small business built from his hobby of collecting thousands of postcards from across the United States dating back to 1905.
“We have to try something, finances are tough, and it is really starting to take a toll on me,” he said. “I want to accomplish something more in the time I have left,” he says. “My goal is to keep us independent and living together.”
“I am thankful for the support of family, the community and of the church I attend,” said Philip. “I am most thankful that Carolyn is here with me and also for our two cats Gable and Tiger,” he says. “They really keep us going.”
Editor’s Note: “Chenango Stories” puts the spotlight on those people whose compelling stories you might not otherwise hear. If you know someone who is interested in telling their “Chenango Story,” contact Jill Kraft at 337-3075 or e-mail: Jkraft@evesun.com.