For Interlude—

Local Woman Honored For Volunteer Efforts

By Nancy K. Crevier

There is a sense of peace about Joan Nickerson as she sits in her quiet living room in Newtown, a still life painting gracing the wall above her couch. But this sense of grace was not always so for her and her family. When her youngest of three children was diagnosed in 1984 as bi-polar/schizophrenic, her world was thrown into turmoil.

“The devastation to our family was overwhelming,” said Ms Nickerson. “John was a sophomore in college when he was diagnosed, and up until then, he was an absolutely normal young man. There may have been some indications, looking back on it, when he was a senior in high school, but we just thought it was normal, adolescent moodiness. You don’t think mental illness,” she said.

For Ms Nickerson and her husband, Jack, John’s diagnosis meant delving into research about mental illness to better understand the disease. She even enrolled in a psycho-ed class offered by Danbury Hospital not once, but twice, to get a handle on it. “I did a lot of reading,” said Ms Nickerson. They also joined a support group, the Alliance for the Mentally Ill, and spent a lot of time talking to doctors. Admitting that this was a lifelong illness they would have to contend with was difficult, said Ms Nickerson. “You go from saying, ‘Thank God I have three healthy children,’ to not being able to say that. It is hard, frightening.”

John’s illness meant that she had to always be on guard that he did not harm himself, and because of that fear, she and her husband entered a period in their lives where for the next ten years they remained essentially housebound. She tailored her work life to meet John’s needs and vacationing was really not an option, she said. “We never knew how John would be feeling. We didn’t want to go away.”

There were times when he was a danger to himself. “With schizophrenia, people often hear voices, and he would hear ‘angels’ telling him to jump, or do something else suicidal. He was hospitalized so many times during that ten-year period after he was diagnosed,” recalled Ms Nickerson. Until they found out that their son was eligible for disability, the medical costs took a toll on the family, as well. It was a constant treadmill of worry and hospitalizations with no end in sight. Then they found Interlude.

The serenity that is a part of her persona today is due to Interlude, she said. Interlude is a nonprofit mental health agency in Danbury committed to providing residential and community services to men and women with mental illness.

“Interlude gave our lives back to us when our son became a client,” said Ms Nickerson. It was 1991 when doctors at Fairfield State Hospital, where John was patient after a severe episode, recommended the Interlude program to the Nickersons. “Interlude provides case management that allows the mentally ill to live independently. We had been doing everything for John with him living at home, and Interlude gave us the chance to let him become independent.” Coincidentally, her husband was transferred to Orange County in New York for five years at that time. “We needed someone to take care of our son. It is amazing how things work out,” she said.

In the 15 years that John has been a client, said Ms Nickerson, he has achieved the ability to be independent through the support of Interlude. “They teach work skills and day-to-day life skills to the clients,” she said. She points to the painting on the wall behind her. “That painting was done by one of the Interlude clients.”

“We’re not going to be here forever and while my other children are very supportive of their brother, he doesn’t want to be a burden to them, either. Interlude has given John a life,” she said. “Without Interlude, I wouldn’t have the choices in my life that I have in my senior years now.”

Because she is so grateful for her new lease on life, Ms Nickerson has devoted a great part of the last 15 years to promoting Interlude and raising awareness about mental illness, supporting it however she could, even before returning to Newtown 11 years ago. She is presently in charge of fundraising for Interlude, and her husband serves on the board of directors.

“We all have our causes,” she said, “and our cause is mental illness. We are all touched by something that we believe deserves attention.” It is because the love for their son is so great, said Ms Nickerson, and because she is so respectful of the dedicated care Interlude has shown him, that she has been able to throw herself whole-heartedly into this cause. “I come from the philosophy that you give back in this life what you receive, and Interlude gave our lives back when our son became a client,” Ms Nickerson said.

Her unwavering devotion to the mental health agency has not gone unnoticed. On Friday, May 4, at the Ethan Allen Inn in Danbury, Ms Nickerson was honored for 15 years of volunteer service to Interlude, Inc at the Interlude 10th Annual Community Support Awards Breakfast.

“I can’t even begin to tell you how much Joan has done for Interlude,” said Kathleen Deschenes, executive director of the agency. “She has solicited sponsors and donors; she hosts, cooks, and serves at holiday parties; she has personally donated gifts to clients; and she has sought out sponsors and auction donations for the agency’s annual fundraiser. Joan is such an integral part of our agency.”

In addition, said Ms Deschenes, Ms Nickerson possesses an understanding of how to promote the agency. “She knows how to spread the word that there are people who are still underserved in our communities and who need our support. We’re so happy to have her as part of our family.”

Having been a vice president of sales for US Home Corporation at one time, Ms Nickerson is not afraid to approach corporate businesses like Mercedes-Benz and Chevrolet for donations. “We have many generous donors, and we are eternally grateful for the amount of support we receive from United Way,” she said. “We have many, many small businesses, too, who give generously to support Interlude, right here in Newtown,” added Ms Nickerson. “I am always amazed by how supportive this town is.”

Fundraising for mental health agencies is an on-going process, said Ms Nickerson. As parents of a mentally ill person, she and her husband are always hopeful that research will continue to be funded to help develop new medications for the mentally ill. “The newer medications are wonderful, but the biggest problem is that they continue to have some very unpleasant side effects. We would love to see more research, and funding is needed to keep up the support of the many wonderful mental illness agencies in the Danbury area,” she said. Non-monetary support is also needed in the form of volunteers who are able to assist with fundraising, transportation, helping at social events, and helping with office work at the Interlude West Street office in Danbury.

 John is 45 years old now, said Ms Nickerson. She finds great comfort in knowing he is well cared for by Interlude. “I would be lying if I didn’t say I do this for my son. I do. But when you volunteer, it’s a good feeling.”

Tax deductible donations can be mailed to Interlude, Inc, 60 West Street, Danbury CT 06810. To volunteer at Interlude, call Ms Nickerson at 797-1210.