Artist Alison’s agony at bullied son’s drug death
ARTIST Alison Lapper wept as she told an inquest how her teenage son was struggling to cope with the trauma of being bullied when he took a fatal heroin overdose.
The disabled artist, 55, questioned why “beautiful, funny and sensitive” Parys, 19, who had been diagnosed with depression, PTSD, social phobia and symptoms of dyslexia and ADHD, was turned away when he needed help.
The subject of the sculpture Alison Lapper Pregnant, which was displayed in Trafalgar Square, has said that Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust had refused further treatment to her son unless he dealt with h his substance abuse.
Parys, who had suffered years of mental health problems, was discharged from mental health services on August 1, 2019. He went to live in a hotel in n Worthing, West Sussex x and was found dead in his room from a suspected accidental drug overdose 12 days later.
Alison’s statement was read out at the inquest at West Sussex Coroner’s Court in Crawley. It said: “Parys was funny, sensitive and very loving.” She said in his teens Parys became withdrawn and tu turned to drink and ca cannabis and then stro stronger drugs.
Sh She said: “Childhood trauma traumas and bullying had begun to ta take their toll on his mental health.”
Ms Lapper, who was born without arms and with shortened legs, said: “Parys was let down badly by social services. I cannot tell you the heartbreak I feel.” Cause of death was respiratory depression caused by heroin toxicity. The inquest continues.