I think you are lumping yourself together with people who abuse the system versus people like you and I, who needed welfare (in my case disability) for awhile to get back on our feet, and now we are, and thriving. There is a vast difference between someone who needs a leg up and someone who abuses the system.

Try not to be so hard on yourself for needing help and accepting it. You did the right thing and it helped you.

Seesaw