My Brother (so he tells me) has been diagnosed with Bipolar disease.
And I am hoping someone can help me understand, or help me explain to him, why I don't think it is appropriate to blame all the wrong decisions he makes in life on his disease.

He is a 3 time convicted felon for stealing money from 3 different churches where he worked as a minister. In October of 2009 he stole my mom's business Mac/Visa card and charged over 5,000 dollars worth of things that he can produce for her to return. While he said he was going to repay them, he has yet to give them a single penny.

He got caught because my mom noticed some strange charges on her bank card.

My mom call my brother and ask him if he had see her bank card at the shop, of course he lied and mom had already canceled the card. He got caught cause he tried to use it.

My parents, against my better judgement, didn't put him in jail or press charges, mostly I think because they are embarassed.

My Sister in Law says that I am not being understanding enough of my brother's disease. She says that I need to support him more through it. Look, if I did what he did, my *** would be in jail, PERIOD END.

I personally think my sister in law is the true problem. Instead of making my brother be responsible for his own actions and pay the consequenses, she baby's him and lies for him, and blames it all on his Bipolar disease.

He is supposed under a doctor's care and taking medicine, but I have no proof of that.

The sadest part here is what their kids learn, to be rude, to think everything is theirs for the taking (often things are missing after they visit), and that "Everyone is against them". No one in My Brother's family takes responsibility for their actions. It is always, the disease.

Maybe I should let you know that I am familiar with Bipolar, my husband has it, my co-worker has it, and the Treasurer of my Local Union has it. They all, for the most part function well in society, occassionally the have a, as we call them "weird" day, usually because of forgotten meds or meds changes. They are all honest and open about their disease and take FULL responsibility for their actions.

I just need some insight before I totally write my brother and his family out of my life.