Chenango Stories: Phil Otto

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.