Larry Leon Clemmer

Early accomplishments at age 12 were the Community 4-H program received a scholarship to 4-H Forestry Camp. Larry won this award in Cumberland County because of his outstanding forestry project of management of a pine forest he planted on several acres of his family's property. In 1968, the high school counselor where Larry was a junior said that he needed help. He was admitted to John Umstead Hospital to the adolescent unit for the new disgnosis of schizophrenia. He was started on early antipsychotic meds. My parents remember being told that nothing could be done to help him and that they should leave him there and move on with their lives. Larry began his life of living with mental illness there. Despite the odds he graduated there with a high school diploma at the hospital's school program on June 8, 1970. My parents sought help from a psychiatrist that believed in mega doses of multivitamins to treat the disease. This was a dead end road however. Larry was only able to work for 2 1/2 years at Roses which enabled him to qualify for Social Security Disability income of a small pension. This was not easy for him to manage and his Mom worked at the store also to help facilitate this for him. He was referref to the Therapeutic Community at Dorthea Dix Hospital for a 6 month admission. He went directly from there to Broughton State Psychiatric hospital in Morhanton. This was a one year stay in a program that was based on behavior modification therapy.

With 3 of 4 of the state's psychiatric hospitals behind him with differeing ways to treat the illness behind him, Larry and his parents sought help from community mental health resources. Larry's Mom and sister, Jacquie started a support group called " Friends and families of the Emotionally Handicapped" sponsored by the Mental Health Association in Wake County. The purpose of the group was to come together with others in Wake County with family members of those with mental illness.

Larry bravely made choices with risks to try to help him. He entered clinical drug trials at Dix in the early 1990's to help test newer antipsychotic drugs with fewer side effects. Larry's neurologist said that " Larry shows a great deal of courage in this situation" during his last few years in bed.

Larry obtained his high school diploma through Granville County School system. "Larry is a gentleman" is a quote from Larry's dad. He had a gentle spirit and great patience. In 1981, the Wake County Commissioners funded money for the Spectrum House, a psychosocial clubhouse. Larry was one of the first club members. Larry loved the weather and space events. He was a great fan of the Star Trek series. He loved to go to the Museum of Natural Science in Raleigh and the Morehead Planetarium. These types of fun trips were often accompanied by his sister, Jacquie. Trips to Atlantic City with his Dad and step-mom were a favorite also. Larry had a full life with family trips and events before his illness.

The family request that memorial contributions be made in his memory to Fellowship Health Resources,Inc., Attention: Building Foundation PSR Program, 5509 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh, N.C. 27612, or Heartland Hospice, 3200 Atlantic Ave. Suite 100, Raleigh, N.C. 27604. Many thanks to all the family members and friends who have supported Larry of the years. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.brownwynne.com