Covenant News

Schizophrenia Topic of Tuesday Presentation

ROCKFORD, IL (March 5, 2005) - William J. MacPhee, an internationally known magazine publisher, will speak Tuesday at Bethesda Covenant Church to share his struggles with schizophrenia and offer insights about recovery from mental illness.

MacPhee was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1987 after years of struggling with the devastating symptoms of the disease. Schizophrenia affects one in 100 people and generally strikes people in their late teens or early twenties. It is a thought disorder that prevents people from perceiving reality correctly.

Shortly after receiving his diagnosis, MacPhee became a Christian. Since that time, MacPhee has become a leader in distributing information about the illness. In 1994, he launched Schizophrenia Digest. In 2002, He was awarded the Golden Jubilee Medal of Queen Elizabeth II by the Department of Canadian Heritage. He also has served on governing boards of numerous schizophrenia and mental health associations.

The event is being sponsored by NAMI Northern Illinois. The presentation is free and open to the public. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m., with the program starting at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will have an opportunity to "meet the speaker" following the program. For more information, call the church at 815-397-4212.

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