The seat covers were added by an elderly friend who needed to borrow the car after an accident. Although the friend has since moved to Maine, Chappelle-Nadal leaves the covers on the seats to remind her of their friendship.

It is one sign of her passion for helping elderly people. In this year’s legislative session, she sponsored a bill, since signed by Nixon, that requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to create an adult day care program manual to establish uniform standards statewide. It also requires the department to offer training to assist applicants or license holders to meet the requirements.

Earlier, she worked on legislation such as the Senior Care and Protection Act of 2003 and the Missouri Senior Rx Generic Drug Rebate.

Chappelle-Nadal, who is single, says she loves the elderly because they don’t judge her, no matter how out of the box she may seem. They give her strength and, in turn, she gives her time, volunteering at several nursing homes in her district.

“I love old people, and I love young people,” she said. “Everyone in the middle, well … ”