Strong Begins Within

My name is Alan Peter Scherer Jr. I was born on Cape Cod on August 9, 1973. I am a survivor of suicide at age 11. I was hospitalized, put in short term and long term foster care, and after a little over a year i was returned to my mother's care.

 I am the oldest grandchild of former Boston Red Sox out fielder Jimmy Piersall. Why is that significant? Well, he was the first public case of Bipolar Disorder in pro sports. I too, live with Bipolar as well as I am in recovery from alcohol abuse. Just hit 600 days sober on April 9th. 

I was diagnosed in February of 2001, I was in and out of the hospital as well as on meds til 2008. In 2008 I decided to find a better way to overcome my mental illness and stopped taking meds cold turkey, for they were hindering my ability to live, laugh, or cry. I made a pact with myself to find out why I was in such pain in the first place. So everyday, from that day, i struggled through by overeating, over drinking, and just being totally self destructive. 

In 2010 that all changed for the better. Jan 4th, 2010, I hit my rock bottom, I was 245 lbs and sick and tired of being self destructive and a victim of the circumstances in my past. I asked myself “is this all I have to offer myself and the world around me?” and thankfully the answer was no. 

I started taking steps in my life to change my life through fitness, and photography. I picked up both as forms of therapy, an active body helps create a calmer mind. 

I share my story with all those in need, whether it's with their mental health issues or their  battle with addiction too. 

The greatest things I have realized on my journey are,

- a baby step counts

-it's ok to not feel ok

-a bad day is just a bad day 

-you are not in this battle alone

-it's ok to need help and ask for support

And finally, here is one of my poems:

Family 1998

Individuals they all are 

learning as they grow

love is difficult to attain

the way they know

expectations so high

living up to them

NO

To love unconditionally

 is the hardest part

when all is said and done 

to be a true family 

 takes nothing at all

just be there for them 

when they call.

Check out Alan’s online photo portfolio: www.500px.com/alanschererphotographer