Louis
Always and forever, this is who I am

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 13 years old, on the hospital psychiatric ward.

I started robbing people and houses when I was 12.  I was also doing hard drugs and drinking a lot.  To this day, I can’t explain how I felt. The word pain is only the beginning.  When I was 14, I moved from my mother’s home to another state to live with my father.  He’s a psychologist, and I always resented that, but it’s a blessing.  I was sent to juvenile corrections a few more times.  Then, when I was 16 I got charged with first degree robbery, using a weapon. I was then sent to adult prison as a juvenile.

My story isn’t something everyone can relate to, I know.  But it’s to let everyone out there know that for every dark night, there’s a brighter day. Today I’ve been out on parole for 102 days with no violations.  Now it would seem harder for me to make it, since I have more rules to follow and I could go back to prison for my violations.  But I am making it.

So I guess the only thing I can tell you is that you need to educate yourself. Not only reading the books, but taking care of your body - the food you eat, the sleep you get, and knowing the people you should be around. While I was locked up, I had plenty of time to learn all this, and so far it’s been working.

Don’t get me wrong.  I still have my ups and downs too, but this is who I am, always and forever, and only I can change it. No doctor can, no drug, no friend, no therapist, without me being part of the change. When it comes down to it, only one person can make the changes needed to survive - you. Remember to always keep your head up, and listen to those that can see things when you can’t. This is who we are, always and forever.