Bipolar Research.org         Bipolar Walk Info: 9/29/2012

Our Story

In the past 10 years, we as a family have become acutely aware of the problems a Bi-Polar patient can cause in a family, both in behavior and in obtaining knowledgeable and competent practitioners.

Our husband/father, Bruce, had dealt with the disease since his late teens’, with the last 5 years being the most difficult.  Also, our son/brother was incarcerated in 2009 for criminal actions related to Bi-Polar manic episodes.  Of course, these situations were very difficult for us as a family as well – spouses, sons and daughters, grandchildren.

Our frustration with the healthcare community also added to the stress already present with this disorder.  Finding caring and supportive healthcare workers often seemed hit or miss.  Many times Bruce was hospitalized for various reasons, only to have some hospitalist who wasn’t familiar with Bruce change his psychiatric medications without consulting us, resulting in more issues with his Bi-Polar problems.

Bruce lost his battle with Bi-Polar Disorder in the Fall of 2011.  His severe depression, which was treated with almost every medication available, would not resolve.  This led to a resultant failure to thrive and eventually his death. 

Our family decided that our experiences with this disease could help other patients and families, and would help us feel that our experiences with Bruce had not been in vain.

When we looked for a group we could support or become involved in, we quickly realized that there is no specific entity that supports Bi-Polar Disorder research exclusively.  There also was no group that organized a Walk-A-Thon fundraiser for Bi-Polar Disorder specifically.  We have since decided that this is a mission our family is willing to take on.

Of the many psychiatrists (34) and hospitals (15+) that Bruce had seen/stayed at during the past 5 years, the University of Pennsylvania was by far the most helpful and compassionate towards Bruce and our family.  Their research department is one of the best in the country and would allow us to be intimately involved in where our fundraising dollars would go.  It is for these reasons we have partnered with the University of Pennsylvania for this research.  Those remaining in our family who are affected by this disease will make this hospital crucial for us in the years to come.

- April Lynn Van Luven (Bruce's Daughter)