EDITOR’S NOTE: This is Part One in a two-part series about Ocala Power Lifter Andre Palmer.
OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Andre Palmer found himself in a very dark place at a very young age. However, the intervention of a caring law enforcement officer and the inspiration of his father, helped to transform the diminutive child who was bullied in school into a world-class athlete.
“Being premature at birth and growing up a very small, fragile kid, you’re always susceptible to kids finding a reason to pick on you for being the youngest, the smallest, and I endured that all the way from when I can have a memory of preschool until my first year of high school,” said Palmer.
Life-changing incident
Palmer was seven or eight when he discovered himself having suicidal thoughts, being vulnerable because of his small stature and being preyed upon by much larger kids…